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MAY/JUNE 86 $3.00 
VOL.2 NO.4 


FOR ALL TIMEX AND SINCLAIR COMPUTERS 


MAGAZINE 


EXPAND 


Your Sinclair’s Potential! 


*A floppy disc-like 
DIRECTORY for your 
cassettes 


*MC Tape Header Reader 
~ *TS/ZX Program Chaining 
*Reader Tips 


*Much More! 


ectoting i loncer. 
ecioting i fonger 


port $15. 


>8 Free programs inchdir q 
coilculeste 
| ard more 
| 
| + 
| o Sern rirenics 
a 
Vihile other camputer companies The QL. delivers up to 412 x define relatioastups, extract data 
i talk about teringing the power of pi ilecolor resolution o7 black- and reorganze it, do statistecal and 
computing within reach of arcinar white display. Itean be used accounting calculations, and more 
people someday soon, the Sinclair with either a monites or an ardinary Asareadsheet program so simple 
| puis sxtraardinary power inte Tw.Rha 292€ serial inter touse you cari do a complete 
2 power of the faces and accepts joystick cursor chat-if" calculation in a single J 
control ystroke. And a graphics arogiam : 
: vaith 32-bii speed to create spectac 
' Included with the CL are four & ‘ { 


ular and immediate effects for 
heme or business 


sophisticated, powertul and easy- 
te-use programs. & word processing 
pragram with the pow 


plici 


and sien- The price for all ths power? That 
yof dedicated word process- may be the QL's mnost powerful fea 
ing, that lets you print exacily what ture at all 


a full-size QWERTY le 


tt 


i the screen. A database 
| management progratn with up to 
256 data fields, in which you can 


OU SCE C 


tasking 


rrulit! 


© 1-602-978-2002 @ Telex (via WUN): 886 


THE SINCLAIR Qi 
HAS OUR 
FULL SUPPORT. 


A+ (7, oo 
Fe LOomputer <esponse 


TT PRC 7S BE ETB SW WATE ST ENTE ana ; 


MORE RESOURCES FOR YOUR SINCLAIR 
FROM TIME DESIGNS MAGAZINE COMPANY... 


control Things 


TIMEX SINC 


We have purchased the entire rematning 

stock from the pub{isher. Khon this $5.00 
great book Is gone, no more will be 

published. Reserve your copy today! 


ZX81: 
Programming For 
Real Applications 
By Randle Hurley 


includes 12 Software Programs 
on a Cassette Tape 


Currently avatlable at book stores i 
bsr"Look et our low price... Postage Paid 


for $24. 


GET 
BOTH 
“Control 
Things” 
and 
“ZX81" 


Postage 
Paid 


Tired of zapping aliens? Want to 
reafly use your T/S 1000/15 
2X817 Then this book and sott- 
ware package is for you. Many 
practical programs to use on the 
Sinclair, that will do "real™ 
Jobs In 3 variety of environ- 
ments: data~base, educational 
programs, tinancial programs, 
and a word processor, Book has 
164 pages. 


Send Check or M/O To: 
Sorry... No Credit Cards orders. 


Package TIME DESIGNS MAGAZINE CO. 
For Only 29722 Hult Rd __ Colton, OR 97017 
$10.00 Telephone: (503) 824-2658 


Contol Things 
With Your 
Timex Sinclair 
By Robert L. Swarts 


Put thet spere 1/5 1000 or 
1500 to work. Control all 
sorts of things around the 
house: turn on lights and 
appliances remotely, mon- 
itor temperature in’ one or 
more locations. Bulld a 
programmable 170 port. 
This book shows you how, 
plus many more projects. 
Also several chapters on 
how to write software for 
"controlling things.” 
White this book addresses 
the T/S 1000/ZX81, many 
applications would be of 
interest to the 2068 user 
as well. 183 Iltustrated 


pages. 
Only 


Postage Paid 


or 


Book and Tape 
$6.00 


The Offical 
TIMEX SINCLAIR 
2068 TECHNICAL MANUAL 


Now in Stock! 


TECHNICAL 
MANUAL 


TIMEX SINCLAIR 
2068 

PERSONAL 

COLOR COMPUTER 


Published by The Time Designs Magazine Co. 


2nd Edition 
Features Many 
Improvements 


* Full Color Cover 
* Spiral Bound 


* More Readable 
Text 


* Reworked Diagrams 
and all ‘“‘known’’ 
corrections are made. 


We have recently acquired the exclusive publ lshing 
rights to the 2068 TECHNICAL MANUAL from the Timex 
Corporation. This is the same reference manual 

they offered for a short time. However, our 
edition 1s an Improved product, The 2068 TECHNICAL 
MANUAL Ts for any T/S 2068 owner who Is Interested 
in hardware appi cations and advanced programming. 
Contatns a wealth of Information, diagrams, charts 
and a full-slze schematic diagram of the 2068 PC 
board bound right in the book. Over 300 pages in 
all! We offer the 2068 TECHNICAL MANUAL tor the 
same price that Timex did, This [s not a photo- 
copled document, but a professionally printed 
book. Now In stock for Immediate shipment. 


Only $25 Postage Paid 


| 


! Editor’s 
Corner 


MAGAZINE 


MAY/JUNE 86 


Si oa ae ea 
TIME DESIGNS MAGAZINE CO. 
29722 Hult Rd.eColton, Oregon 97017 


(503) 824-2658 


It's been a very busy two ths. We 
went out on the road, embarked on a new sub- 
scription drive, went into the book pub- 
lishing business, and prepared to add an 


additional O square feet of storage and 
work space to our operations. 
TIME DESIGNS MAGAZINE is published bi- I have especially enjoyed the letters 


we have received. Your suggestions and notes 
of encouragement have helped to decide the 
upcoming format of TIME DESIGNS. I think 
that you will welcome some of the planned 
improvements. . 1000 info (continued 
coverage of the 2068/Spectrum and QL). There 
will be artic] and columns for a variety 
of special interests like the operation of 
full-size printers, hardware modifications, 
and programming tricks. And let's face it, 


monthly and is Copyright © 1986 by the Time 
Designs Magazine Company, Colton, Oregon 
97017. All rights reserved 


ore T 


Editor: Tim Woods 


Assistant Editor: Stephanie Woods 


Editorial) Assistani/Production: DL. Woods 


Photography: not everyone owns a floppy disk system. 
(unless otherwise noted): Thomas Judd There are some very good alternativ like 
Printing by; Toad’! Litho Printing and Comp., the Sinclair Microdrive, Rotroni Wafa- 


drive, A&J Micro Drive, and yes, even the 
old reliable cassette (check out Michael 
Carver's excellent cassette utility in this 
issue), We want to offer tips on all types 
of ma torage medium. 

Have you been following along in our 
Classified ad section? All subscribers can 
place one free personal ad in each issue. 
More details can be found in that section. 
Our Classifieds have been growing. In fact, 
we now have more Sinclair-related ads than a 
large popular “buy, sell, and trade" com- 
puter tabloid. I recently obtained a program 
that is advertised in the Classifieds called 
the "Money Machine" by Herb Bowers. It is a 
word game similar to the “Wheel Of Fortune" 
TV game show, I was impressed with the de- 


Oregon City, Oregon 97045, 


SUBSCRIPTIONS: $15 a year for six issues (US 
funds only). No extra charge to Canadian 
subscribers, All other countries please write for 
information on air mail rates. 


CUSTOMER SERVICE: Customer satisfaction is 
our goal. For subscription service problems 
please write or call TIME DESIGNS. 


CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Wiite or call to prevent 
delay of sevice, 


Reproduction of this magazine in whole or in 
part by any means without written permission is 


prohibited by law tail that Mr. Bowers included in his jame. 
Folks, there's treasure in them thar pages. 
Check out the Classifieds. 


Renewal Time? 


TIME DESIGNS ave ndent 
MAGAZINE CO., and opin Keep America's foremost Sinclalr magazine coming to your 
of are note door (and help our overworked secretary too!). An early 
ertisers. Tim renewal is appreciated. Simply send a check or MO for 
$15.00 and state that it is for a renewal. If you happen 


any d. 26 Of conse: 


to have a Jabel trom the envelope your magazine came 


assertions of fact, send it along too. Your subscription expiration date 
vided in the magazine's on this label. And just in case you forget, our sec~ 
content. retary wili send you a reminder notice. Thanks for your 


continued 5: 


"ag T have e Spectrum +, Interface One, two Micro~ 
dvives, Bete Plus ODE (ufth amdek IIL), 8 working 2050 
attached, 2 eather large assorisent af Spectrum software 
and subscriptions to & UK Spectrum-dedicated magazinez, © 
cend to regard ayself to be a Specteum tuff. Therefore, 1 
vould Like to offer this selection of wy favorice 1983 
Spectrum favorites. The following programs are oot in 8 
specttic orger, they are all grea 
+ Artworx (Novelsofe/Zebra) 
» Fatrlight (the Ege) 

« Tomahawk (Digital Integration) 
Reta Baste 2.0 {BetaSeft) 

cic Typewriter (Romantic Robot) 
. Dun Darach (Gargoyle Ganes)} 

» Honopoly (Leisure Genius) 
Everyone's & Wally (Mikro-Gen) 
Frankia Goss To Hollywood (Grean) 
. Astronomy If (CP Software? 


[ap F. Robertson 
[shington, Ontario 


Deor Sirt 


“I've just read your razponse to Byron DeFrfes on 
page 3 of the March/April issue, There way be a bit ore 
of s problem than you meation, You ace right eheut the 
frequency difference (50 vs 6QHz) but thst Ls winor, and 
most self-respecting trausformers are apecced from 47 to 
63 Nz te cover it. The need for 9 mew transformer (or 
adeptor) arises because the Gritigh line russ edout 230 
WAC compared to ovr £17, 

The big problem I forsee is that the Gritish tele~ 
vision uses a different scan pattern and frequency from 
the Auericen one,..625 lines by 50 frames. Also, without 
checking, the channel frequencies may be different. Tous 
Plugging iuco s Aricieh T¥ won't work. Gstog @ video 
moniter obtained in the U.k. say have = sietlar problee. 
Here, the zonfters follow the U.S. 525 line 60 frame 
telewleion pattern. (One Likea to make the froma rate the 
seue as the line frequeacy to reduce the demand for power 
filtering and taolstion.) If the UK video woaltor follows 
thete TY standards, the 2068 won't work through thet de~ 
vice without modifications efther. Mow, T haven't tore 
inte uy 2068 ead looked, but Et's possible that there's 2 
juaper change tbat will sdept the machine for the British 
dor other Europesn) standards. 


David fe Lacahan 
Harlow, HH 


EDITOR: Oa, MA. DaFades coukd try to hook-up Ais 2064 to 
a Sinciaia Pocket TV. 2's compatibéc with both Britisd 
and American standards. 7 understand someone hag accoap- 
dished thie successgutly., .afthough they aie wearing 
thicker Lenses now, 


2 purchased an FO-68 Disk Ortve [/F from AERCO in 
December, i985. The system disk they sent me was un- 
readable, and it wea retucned to them in December for 2 
replacement. I wetted very gatteatly until the first of 
February, at which tina f decided to call them (peehsps 
they had aot received my lecter?). 

1 apeke to & Phil jae AERCO], and was very upset by 
his attitude, I was edvised thar he bad been busy dolng 
‘other more pro€itsble projects’ and that he really aid 
pot wang the Tiwex bustasez. I was quite upsec. after 
speaking vith Red Cowen of ane fateepeizes [an AERCO 
desler in ay areal, L was advised to spesk to Jerey at 
AERCO 


The Eiret of Nscch I was sgain on the phone to 
APRCO. This time I vas able to speak to Jerey, whe was 
vecy accommodattug. Jerry apologized and sent a new disk 
out the same day, Air Express. Uafortumacely, it was also 
unsesdable. 

Lthen spoke to Jercy again. Me shipped me = 5.25" 
disk delve asd diek, set up as drive C, for me to make ay 
avn copy. This vas also sent Ate Express! [ ended up 
getting a copy from Jack Dehany, a programmer in Calif- 
ornia, and did oot awed to use the drives seat to me by 
AERCO. However, their efforts were extraordinary. 

Lamurittng [this letter], as T was very vocal 
about poor service and attitude, snd eware of others 
having the same peoblew, as avidenced in our cecent user 
group aewaletter. However, I caunst sey eneugh good 
things adout how I wag treated ty Jerry, i therefore con~ 
clude that AERCO is really concerned about our business 
as well ax servicing us after the fact. T vould bowaver 
suggest anyone who hes e peebles with AERCO should talk 
to Jercy..-woe Poti? 

Unfortunately, a ‘comedy af errors’ such as i ex- 
pertenced cen cuin 2 company’s reputation. I have pur~ 
chased other AERCO products in the past sad wlll do so 
again, I felt afcer ali ey complaining, I sbould tell rhe 
whole story. Especialiy, the bappy ending. 

E hope you chose to publish this ss 1 feel we owe 
the co@panics suppocting our nomputers some goed words. 
lt always seeas easy to ceiticize, yet harg te praise.” 


Syd Kyreoop 
Rortiand, OR 


ESITOR: Your last sentence Ait the “bullseye”. As a con- 
gember, theng seems to be no excuse dom poor sevice and 
gasp! mistakes. But ag a smote busemess owner, 1 brow 
what goes cn “behind the acenea”. Often just a couple of 
wmpfoyees ane meceing fhe hata of severad dozen workers. 
Tre woad “tusy” ia an understadement! 1 feet that the 
aajority of our T/S vendors take cusdomee saciasaction 
serdousty. 14 aod, 7 don'é think they would be doing 
business for fong...but remember, we off mesa up once ca 
awhile. 


“L bave found the Burglar Alare program ta the lage 
[Narch/April} teaue of TOM te be @ useful addition to ey 
1S 2068. However, | have found ove problew. Generally 
speaking, vsen the program is loaded with the loop 
closed, the Joystick port appears to be stuck in the 1's 
position (pia 1 €o pla 8 closure}. The program Eails to 
recognize vhen aq open occurs, If the program ts loaded 
with the Loop open, the system functions correctly. This 
situation msy be watque to wy own computer, However, f 
auspect that this (s 4 flav in the softuace. 

The problem fa that the closed loop indicator thet 
fe weteten into Register 16 of the PSC during the lead 
procedure, cannot be cleared when the loop ts ister 
opened, The solution {9 te elther load the cleevit with 
the laop open, or clear Regteter Lé when tha program is 
executed. I chose the latter golutiog, In the enclosed 
progcas(s}, line 3§ ig used to cadl the wachine code 
routine that clears Register 14 of the PSG. Line 15 calle 
the routing thet FOKE's the routine inte high meaocy 
(itnes 200-250}. T have also shown the moemonte listing 
of the machine code ecutive. addresses FFEO through FFE6 
enable Reatster 7 of the @SG and set bit 6 ta the 
reghater. Setting bit 6 in Register 7 enables 1/0 Fort A 
(Register (4) of the PSG for output. Addresses FES 
through FFED enables end zeros Register 1 of the PSC 
The cemaloder ef the routine ca-addresses Register 7 and 
clears bit 6, This re-enatles [/O Port & (Register 14) of 
the PSG for input. 


I have shown two versions af the program. The 


short 


progeam [s a aodified version of the program 2n page 20 

of the March/April Issue of TDM. The long program is an 

auto-loading, user-friendly version. This version is de- 

signed so that ay wife and children can easily load and User Friendly Version 

use the program. The last attachment provides a summary ' 
of ay findings. 1f other readers have had a similar ex- Ae REM Tare bassges mas aro se 
periences with the progras, perhaps this Information will 25 Go Sue 20 

be useful.” Be Teeuy what cENTER to artes 


Gull R. Taylor 
Baltimore, OK 


[oeesne se [ececeees  sodeanesaj sas cesdecnsdavees ces teeseressecewessedes, 


SAVE | LOAD | WITH | WITHOUT 

WITH j WITH | MACHINE | MACHINE 

Wor | LOOP | CODE | CODE 
Reewenetn | nena nena Seen ceccs | eccneceastcnnecctcoesenscsecs sees. 

open | open | ok | ok most of the time - but un 
[renee anne | enn==: er pet Seseesereeon 

open | closed | ok | fails to recognize open loop 


Bee |iimidaiatmereat 


! 


1@ REM Time Cessgrs marraes 08 
28 GO 5U8 2¢e 
28 INELT rat 
se a acm” ab 
SOERINT “rou nove 38 seccnos 
TZE USA ESSOS 


Tha 


ENTER! to actiy 


THEN 


eo re 


fem Resets acace 


HE 


tes 
Efge To ESsze 


te alarm as 
‘Se PRINT 


" Tov have Te secerss 
ave 
| BE RANDOMIZE USF ESse< 
PAUSE 3860 
cu INT FLeSe 310 paper 


16,10 


WACARMS BOT TUE 
IF 


STIC) (3,2 si THEN cc TD 


activete 


we 


bp” unMMMMe! 


TERRIFIC TIPS 


mm 


Quick Tip #1- Kext time you have scne epoxy mixed up 
Lake the time to giue the key into the slot on your edge 
connectors (RAM Packs, ect.) by pla a bit of 


glue at the top and bottow enc of the key. I've had a few 
of these fall out and the results of eisaligning a RAM 
pack could be disastrous when you power up, (Sinclair 
Canade does this on ali their 16% RAMs.) 

Quick Tip #Z- If you are using Radic Shack TP-10 Printer 
Paper (Cat. No. 26-1337) in your 2040 printer, put tw: 
pennier at each end of the roll to keep the sealler TP-t0 
toll feeding evenly. (How's that for e cheap fix?) 


Quick Tip #3- Tf you are still experiencing RAY pack 
wobbie and the resulting “white-out”, place some rubbe 
or felt “sticky pads” under the rear tur feet of your 
2X/TS. This allows the RAM pack ta hang off the edge 
connecter, thue not wiggling loose as you press the key- 


board. 


+) 


Tip #4~ Substitutions: Many tokens on the 2%/T5 computers 


have numeric vaives and will be interpreted as such while 


B prograe is running. Since tokens are usually stored in 
® Single byte whiie numbers take up € bytes or so, this 
trick cas. save quite a bit of Space at the expense c 
slowing down the speed at which the progras runs. For 
exanple, rather than “LET Z#0", LET Z= “NOT PI", “SIN 
PI", or “TAN Pi". Likewise, SGN PI © 1, INT PI = 3, Cos 


PI = -1, PEEK NOT Pl = 211, PEEK Pi = 255, PEEK PEEK Pl 
135, LEN STRS FI = 9, CODE STRS Pl © 32, INT EXP PI = 


and PEEK PEEK RND © 209, No doubt there are plenty more 
of these, and for numbers such as 2, which 1 have not 
found an expression for yet, use the function WAL. in- 


stead of LET X = 2, LET X = VAL “2 
also be surrounded by VAL, such as 
4406/17)". You will be suprised at the 
vtilizing this trick. 

Tip #5- Word Substitutes: In Print statements, strings 
and prompts, use keywords and tokens to save metory also, 
Instead of a line like- 26 PRINT “ENTER TODAY'S DATE” 
use- 20 PRINT “INPLT TODAY'S DATE”, which saves 4 bytes 
bo this by using the keyword THEN after the first quote 


A whole equation 
LET 2 © VAL 
memory saved 


can 
Oe 
by 


ark, typing the 1 key for INPUT, and then deleting the 
THEN token, Since it is within the quote marks, the 
computer simply prints it. AND, STOP, THES, NOT, FAST and 
RUN are also good candidates to use in this way, Ex- 


periment with these and have fun, 


Anthony Willing 


Gorilla Berane 


“If Ttcld you that {it was possible to get 100 
ribbons for your printer for the price of one, would you 
be interested? 

As most of you, I have been frustrated with the cost 


and availability of ribbons. The way my printer runs, I 
have beer known te use up more than a ribbon a week. 
Sometimes I run them until the print is barely legible. 


1 begar. to think that spending $7.95 on a ribbon 
is only about 24” long, was a real waste of money. 
ly, 1 began to experiment with alternative 
ditties. 
The cutcome of my experimentation, is a simple, 
fase way to recink the fabric. And, since each re-inking 
takes only about four drops of ink, one bottle of ink car 
certainly re-ink more than 100 ribons. However, the ink 
1 used ig not @ standard office supply item thet one can 
find at the corner stere, but a special {nk designed only 
fer inking ribdoo 
order to buy the ink at a reasonable price, one 
s requireé to buy gallon lots...hardly the thing most 
ec, 
ter discussing my {dee with Rod Gowen of RNG 
16te 3/2 7th St., Gregon City, OR $7045+ 
package a kit containing enough ink to do 
ribpon:, applicator swabs, plastic “ageing 
instructions for $7.95 plus $2.00 shipping 


bags”. an 
(the price cf one store-tought ribbon). 
If you decide to try one of these kits, remeber that 


there are some tricks te getting the 
properly and evenly. S> follow the 
letter. 

I'm sure that if you own a Gorilla Banana or clone. 
you wiil find this kit te be the bargain of the year.” 


re-iuking to work 
instructions to the 


Vincent Lyon 


sennsonaeneo 


Users of the Zebra Graphics Tablet will have no 
doubt noticed the annoying behavior that I will term 


“Spray”. If you don't press the stylus against the tablet 
very firmly, you get a wild spray of dots 
You may have also noticed that the “Spray” tends to 


be directed touard: the center of the tablet. This is be- 
cause there are a pair of centering resistors which cause 
tablet readings to return to center when there is no con~ 
tact with the graphics tablet. The “Spray” phenomena {e 
essentially micro seperations of stylus contact. The 
duration of these micro seperations {s very short but the 
cursor instantly centers on each seperation event, there- 
fore causing the “Spray”. 

by eliminating the instant centering of the 
you will be eliminating the “Spray” phenomena. You can do 
this ty removing two resistors and replacing then with 
OG.) uf capacitors. Te do this follow the instructions 
below... 

>) Place the tablet upside down and remove 7? screws. 


tablet 


2) Carefully separate bottom of tablet from top. tn- 
plug twe connections from the pe board inside. 
3) Unscrew the pe board from bottom of the tablet 


4) Desotder the two resistors 
diagram. 
S) Sclder two 0.1 uf ceramic disc capacitors inte 
the vacated resistor locations. 
Put vour graphics tablet back together (this may be a Met 
tricky ané try ft out. You will notice a signigicant 
improvement ir performance. 


indicated in the 


Printer Tips 


SSeGeaseesoasoneoanesD: 


ImPROUVUING THE 2EBRA GRAPHICS 


SOEAGOSIASOGOSOSOSSAOOGATOTASAGVH AHH ATOOSECAGAMAAMSOO HHH E HOE 


“I recently solve¢ the coc 
{TXP100G) Letter Quality Pri 
interface. You use the pr 
instructions, then de the PCFE! 
64844 to COPY as the instruct 
following POKE's, and it w 


use RANG SES 
use the 


ter, 


POKE 64785,22 (Copy function Variable Line Spacing) 
POKE 64836,24 (Printer Reset) 


Ihave also modified 2PRIN 
from Zebra Systems, Inc.) for 
are as follows: 


fare 
charges 


use Epson Rx/Fx code (#5) 
POKE 64601,24 (Printer Reset) 


POKE 64617,5] (¥ariable Line Spacing for wide screen 
POKE 64618,16 copy) 


POKE 64625,51 (Variable Line Spacing for regular copy) 
POKE 64626,22 


POKE 64633,68 (Horizontal Tab for regular copy 17 is the 
POKE 64534,17 left margin so change as you desire} 
POKE 64636,9 


Also of interest, you can PUKE 6 
width regular screen copy. TE 
bit graphics mode and 7o=966 


T5RGEC 


Licya C. Bowen Jr 


Senemeoaesooes 


TABLET 


Remevt = avyO 
RePLAce with 
O.1v$ CAPS 


COMPONENT 
SIDE 


epor 


TRAD BUY 


On Tuesday, April 8th, the 
»Sir Clive Sinclair had sold his home 
name to a 
one-time rival, Amstrad Consumer Electronics 
PLC. The transaction has been called the 
‘end of an era in British Computers". 


news was 
out... 


computer technology and company 


While the sale was unexpected, close 
observers of the U.K. computer market were 
net completely suprised. Sinclair had been 
operating in the red for over a year, and 
just recently rescheduled its overdue debt. 
Major creditors included Barclays Bank and 
the Timex Corporation. Sir Clive, in recent 


interviews had expressed dissatisfaction in 
the marketing end of the computer business. 
"I always said I was an inventor," he said. 
“Once a product is developed, I want to get 
out." 

TIME DESIGNS had been investigating an 
unusual situation that was occuring at the 
Boston office of Sinclair Research, when the 
sale was announced to the press. No one had 


been anwering the telephone...and a rumor 
had it that the office had moved to New 
Hampshire. A call to the Boston telephone 


company confirmed that their phone lines had 
been disconnected. 


It is evident, that Amstrad, who has 
been having a successful year in the con- 
sumer electronics market, wanted an entire 


corner on the home computer market. The 


prime justification for the the $7.3 million 
acquisition of Sinclair. Alan Sugar, chair-~ 
man of Amstrad commented that the Sinclair 
line of computers, less-expensive models 
mainly designed for home use, would comple- 
ment Amstrad's line of business oriented 


computers and word processors 
less entertainment oriented). 

The Sinclair deal includes the use of 
the Sinclair brand name and the world-wide 
rights to sell and make Sinclair computer 
products. These include the current Spectrum 
models, and some other computers that were 
scheduled for future release. At press time, 
the Sinclair QL was still up in the air. It 
has been widely published, Alan Sugar‘s dis- 
pleasure of the QL. An Amstrad spokesperson 
told Time Designs that "the 0]. was never the 
success that Sir Clive had intended...our 
marketing department is taking a long, hard 
look at the QL...before any decision will be 
reached", It should be pointed out that 
Amstrad's own smali business-type computer, 
the 128K PC, caters to the same market as 
the QL. A recent American deal with Sears, 
will give the Amstrad modeis a big boost in 
sales. 


(which are 


= will drive the C-5 


Sir Clive, has ret ed the rights and 
interests to the Microdrive wafer technology 
and the C-5 experimental vehicle, among some 


other technologies. The flat~screen pocket 
TV marketing ead manufactuzing rights were 
given to Timex to pay-off an outstanding 


debt. When all of the transactions are 
complete, Sinclair Research "won't owe any 
money and will have some assets,” Sir Clive 
has stated. 

A new company is being formed by Sir 
Clive, which will do research for other 
companies on a contract basis. Most of Si 
claix's key engineers and researchers will 
go with Sir Clive. One project that had been 
Previously hinted at before the sale to 
Amstrad, was an inexpensive portable tele- 
phone using cellular phone technology. Also, 
it is known that Sir Clive has privately ex- 
pressed interest in developing his very own 
revolutionary computer system...considering 
that his other computers had gone in other 
Girections than intended. Haven't we heard 
this one before? 

As for Amstrad, they will continue to 
sell Spectrums (Plus and 128K models) until 
existing contracts with suppliers have ex- 
pired...then will shift manufacturing to 
their own factories. When Time Designs asked 
Amstrad recently, if they intended to bring 
the Spectrum to the U.S., a spokesperson 
replied, "Not at this time, but Amstrad has 
always had a policy of...if a market exists 
we'll be there." It was then immediately 
pointed out that 100,000 or more Spectrum's 
were already in use in America...in the form 
of the Timex/Sinclair 2068. 

The British Sinclair market appears to 
be un-daunted for the time being. There are 
stock=piles of computers and related s/w and 
h/w in warehouses. Enough to keep the market 
going for some time. After that, it's up to 


Amstrad, or perhaps Sir Clive (?). 

‘AS a last note, the much discussed 
Sinclair C-5 electric three-wheel vehicle 
(sold for a short time in the U.S.), will 


briefly appear on American Network TV. The 
popular Late Nite With David Letterman Show 
on NBC will feature the high-tech “tricycle" 
in a futuristic comedy spoof called "The 
Regulator Guy". Actor/comedian Chris Elliott 
around the stage. 


QL GETS A* SUPPORT 


The American version of 


the Sinclair QL 
has been rescued. 


A Keene, New Hampshire 
firm, A+ COMPUTER RESPONSE, has purchased 
the entire U.S. inventory of QL's and will 


be distributing the computers to a 
of 12 established T/S dealers. At 
Response is a PC and small systems 
service and consulting company in 
England area. Close ties with Nigel 
(former marketing director of 
brought the U.S. QL market to the 
of A+ managers, George and Carol 
which eventually led to the 
A+ Computer Response has announced to 
their QL dealers that there are adequate 
supplys of computers and peripheral support 
to last several years. They will also pursue 
the possibility of securing additional QL 
stock in the future. 


network 
Computer 
sales, 
the New 
Searle 
Sinclair), 
attention 
Whitham, 
Sinclair deal. 


Carol Whitham, General Manager of A+ Computer Response 
of Keene, N.H., shakes hands with Terry Shurwood of 
Sinclair Research Ltd., Cambridge, England after their 
agreement was finalized tor the purchase of the entire 
inventory of American QL's. 


MID-WEST TS COMPUTERFEST 


Reported by Tim Woods 
The Mid-West TS Computerfest held in 
Cincinnati, Ohio on May 3rd and 4th was a 
great success, and enjoyed by all those who 
attended. It was the largest assemblage of 
Sinclair dealers, services and nationally- 
known personalities ever. One individual 
commented that he had attended the Boston TS 
Celebration in 1983, and preferred the Mid- 
West show, as it was geared more to the user 
and after-market dealer (since the Timex 
Corporation had dominated the Boston event). 

The large Ramada Inn at I-75 and Sharon 
Rd. was the location of the TS Computerfest. 
Over twenty exhibitors were featured in the 
main convention room. Another smaller room 
was used for special guest speakers and 
displays. The official Hospitality Suite was 
open on Saturday for informal gatherings 
Good conversation, advice and computing tips 
abounded. 

There seemed 
for everyone. The 
with surplus 2068 
those who like to 


to be a little 
TS Connection had a_ table 
and ZX81 spare parts...for 
dabble with the soldering 
iron. The Zebra Systems booth was always 
crowded, since they had brought a van-load 
of TS computer merchandise (many items at 
great prices). There was a booth that had a 
home-brew banked-memory board for the 2068, 
with a reported 12 meg. bytes. A QL mouse 
was demonstrated at the Russell Electronics 
exhibit. Dave Maccarone of Damco Enterprises 
featured his excellent new Spectrum Rainbow 
Interface and the Wafadrive system. Some of 
the users groups were supplying free "public 
domain" software for the price of a cassette 
tape. 

pe where was so much more at the Mid-West 
TS Computerfest...more than we have space 
for. I would like to thank the Computerfest 
committee for the fine job of sponsoring the 
event. I understand that another show is 
already being planned for next year. 1 can 
hardly wait! 


something 


Ray Payne and Joe Ayello of Knighted Computers were 
very successful at the Computerfest, selling more new 
computers (0L's) than any other dealer present. Also 
they announced some new software for the 2068 will be 


available soon. 


—= 


Jerry Champkif of AERCO gave an Informal demonstration 
on floppy disk trouble-shooting shown here at the 
TS Computer fest Hospitality Suite. AERCO also demoed 
thelr new CP/M system for the 2068. 


Host Gary Solomon of Brice Road Pharmacy (a QL dealer) 
Introduces George and Caro! Whitham of A+ Computer 
Response, who donated a complete QL package (computer, 
monitor and printer) for a door prize...a $900 value. 


An attendee browses at the Time Designs booth. The new 
2068 Technical Manual (published exclusively by Time 
Designs) was premiered at the Computerfest, and re- 
ceived quite a bit of attention. 


A correspondent for the Wall Street Journal meets Mark 
Fendrick, a correspondent for the U.K. magazine, ZX 
Computing Monthly. The Wall Street Journal will run 
an article about the Computer fest. 


The gang from Zebra Systems, Inc. (left to right: pro- 
grammer Jeff Street, general manager Stewart Newfeld, 


and Stewart's brother Bill filled in for the weekend) 
sport their large and diversified product line. 


These three smiling gents are members of The Greater 
Cleveland Sinclair Users Group. Several other groups 
from Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana also had 
displays. 


Tom Woods demonstrates one of his new experimenter 
boards to a customer at the Syncware News booth. Tom 
also gave a talk on filing-type programs during one of 
Sundays small group sessions. 


Product/Dealer News 


E. Arthur Brown Co., 3404 Pawnee ODr., 
Alexandria, MN 56308, (612) 762-8847; has 
secured the publishing rights to HACKER'S 


HANDBOOK in the U.S. This best-selling book 
from Great Britain is a resource and tech- 
nical reference guide to telecomputing. Only 
$12.95 plus $1.95 S&H, 

New Larken Disk Drive Interface Board 
for ZX-81/TS 1000/1500. Controlier board is 
similar to Larken 2068 Disk I/F, but hae 
a custom DOS for the ZX-81, and is reported 
to be user friendly. Board requires double- 
sided 5.25" drive. Price: $95.00 (U.S.) fox 
single drive board, or $99.00 for 2 drive 
capacity. $4.00 for drive cable {all other 
cables are supplied); plus $5.00 S&H. Larken 


Electronics, RR#2 Navan Ontario, Canada, 
K4B-1H9. 

Zebra Systems, Inc., 78-06 Jamaica Ave, 
Woodhaven, NY 11421 (718) 296-2385; intro= 


duced two new programs for the 2068 at the 
Mid-West TS Computerfest..."The Banner De- 
signer" and "The Sign Designer". Combined 
with the previously available Greeting Card 
Designer program, there are three members of 
to Zebra's Graphics Design Series. With a 
full-size dot mateix printer and a 2068, it 
is possible to design and create custom 84"x 
11” signs, banners and greeting cards. The 
programs axe priced at $19.95 each (plus $3 
for total order SGH). Zebra Systems also in- 
formed TIME DESIGNS that they are extending 
the sale and special pricing featured in 
their yellow Anniversary Sale flyer, until 
the ené of June. 

Weymil Corporation, Box 5904, Belling=- 
ham, Washington 98227; has a comprehensive 
high-resolution graphics software package 
for the Timex Sinclair 1000, called THRUST. 
Thrust features both on-screen hi-res and 
2040 printer hi-res graphics. The package 
includes both "Sincartist 1.3% and "Sinc~ 
artist HR” on one cassette tape for $20 ppd. 
The Thrust package comes with complete doc- 
umentation, and is compatible with Paul 
Hunter's memory board. 

New address, and new Sinclair catalog 
available from: Variety Sales, 325 WW. Jersey 
St. 42D, Elizabeth, NJ 07027 (207) 289-5699. 

Free Sinclair QL software and hardware 
catalog (very nicely illustrated) available 
upon request. Write to: EMC (English Micro 
Connection), 15 Kilburn Ct., Newport, RI 
02840, (401) 849-3805. 


Misc. 


Everett Talavera of the G.U.T.S. DE 
MEXICO {TS Users Group in Mexico City) sends 
the report that Timex of Portugal is coming 
to the Mexican personal computer market. 
Timex representatives met with group members 
and discussed the computer models that will 
be introduced...the Timex 1500 computer (has 
a black case), the Timex 2048 (basically a 
Spectrum in 2068 clothes, with Kempston joy- 
stick I/F built-in, and no cartridge port}, 
the Timex 2080 dot matrix printer, and the 


a as 


10 


Users Group Update 


Hes your Timex Sinclair (or Sinclair Timex) Users Group 
been mentioned In @ past Issue of TIME DESIGNS? We have 
brought together both interested users and active users 
$5 0NB Send information about your group to: TOM, 
9722 Hult Rdo, Colton, OR 97017. 


South Eastern Michigan Computer Organization 
(SEMCO) 

P.O. Box 02426 

MI 48202 

Liam Neary 


Detroit, 
Contact: 


Chicago Area Timex Sinclair Users Group 
(CATSUG) 

c/o Gaxy Lessenberry 
1885A Yorktown Ave. 
Great Lakes, IL 60088 
(312) 873-9415 

or contact: 

Mark Biery 

741 Dunbar 

Beecher, IL 60401 
(372) 946-6892 


Amarillo Timex Sinclair Users Group 
c/o Joe Jenkins 

3100 Mockingbird 

Amarillo, TX 79109 


@/SUG of Fort Worth, Tx 
e/o David Baulch 

4424 Geddes Ave- 

Fort Worth, TX 76107 


Hampton Reads T/S Users Group 
c/o David Alford 

112 Kohler Cres. 

Newport News, VA 23606 


Indiana Sinclair Timex User Group 
c/o Frank Davis 

513 East Main St. 

Peru, IN 46970 

(317) 473-4885 


Greater Cleveland Sinclair Users' Group 
c/o J. G. Dupay (newsletter editor) 
6514 Bradley Ave. (dn) 

Parma, OH 44129 


Portuguese 3" Disk Drive System with C/PN. 
Talavera states that, "If things work out... 
they plan to bring the Timex 2068 and the 
[Sinclair] QL." He also added, "They (Timex/ 
Portugal) told us that the first shipment 
was for 10,000 units.” Mr. Talavera welcomes 
any correspondence from other Timex Sinclair 
users and users groups. Write to: G.U.T.S. 
DE Mexico, Tlaioc #21, Col. Tlaxpana, C.P. 
11370, Mexico, D.F. 


The Super—aLt 
USING THE SINCLAIR QL WITH S6YOK RAM 


by Mike de Sosa 


Used with additional memory, particularly a 512K RAM 
card, the Sinclair QL is transformed, as are its bundled 
software programs. Even though the JSU ROM and Psion 2. 
software supplied with the North American version of the 
QL do not take the fullest advantage of additional RAM 
use of the bundled software is profoundly improved, 
especially if RAMdisk software is employed. Both the 
memory card and various RAMdisk software systems are 
available for a combined price of about $150. 

The following tests were made using a standar 
American version of the QL equipped with a PCML 512k 
Memory Expansion card. Three versions of RAMdisk software 
were tested, each with distinct advantages and dis- 
advantages: Eidersoft's I.C.£. ROM cartridge used with 
CHOice RAMdisk/multitasking software on Microdrive cart- 
ridge; QUUMP’s (Tony Tebby's) PCML Toolkit version 0.07 
complete on ROM cartridge; and Qflash's RAMdisk Driver 
2.5 


The PCML RAMpack works excellently and would seem to 
have only two drawbacks: it is extremely difficult to in- 
stall on the North American version of the QL whose 
peripheral expansion slot seems to have obstructions that 
the European version does not, and it takes considerably 
longer for the copyright screen to appear after “power- 
on" or resetting the QL. 

I.C.E., for Icon Controlled Environment, is a ROM- 
cartridge program that is supposed to make operation o 
the Sinclair QL “simple and convenient", replacing the 
“mysterious commands" of the QL operating system or QDOS 
with an elaborate "point and click" sequence. The 1.C.£./ 
CHOice combination attains full efficiency only when used 
with extra memory and an Ejidersoft "mouse" (hand con- 
troller) which plugs into the ROM cartridge port. The 
latter is a new addition to the Eidersoft family, and its 
design necessitates that previous I.C.E. owners return 
their ROM cartridge for credit towards an I.C.E. system 
Cum-mouse. The Eidersoft rodent (not available for test- 
Tng) is a three button model, similar to that for the 
Atari ST. 

The CHOice s/w is sold separately on Microdriv 
CHOice, which included a bonus Archive name and address 
database and a mailmerge system, may be used as a RAMdisk 
driver without 1.C.£. but requires the latter--insofar as 
1 could determine--for its currently unique multitasking 
system. This system permits suspending operation on one 
Psion software program, switching rapidly to another 
Operating Psion software program (or to the 1.C.£. 
facility), and returning to the original program at the 
exact point you left it, with any and all loaded files 
intact--a very valuable feature, indeed, but one that 
would be even more useful, if it required Jess (un- 
documented rigamarole to set it up and if it were some- 
what more flexible in use. 


Programs like I.C.£. that override a computer's 
basic operating system are sometimes referred to as 
“front end" programs. The I.C.E. screen display format 
always comes on at “boot-up”, regardless of the program 
cartridge used. This means that you can't set the com 
puter clock or boot a program directly with the I.C.£ 
cartridge in place. (An option should be given the user-- 
by keying F3 or F4, perhaps--to bypass I.C.£., which 
slows entry into programs.) 

The 1.C.E./CHOice documentation contains four or 
five egregious errors and omissions which add unnecessary 
hurdles to the process of learning and familiarizing 
one's self with an already complex and daunting system 
Following is an abbreviated checklist for using 1.C.E 
“without tears". (Eidersoft technical writers could, no 
doubt, improve upon this checklist, but they should ‘have 
done a lot better in the first place; the nearly uni- 
versal problem of poor documentation continues to plague 
the computer industry at all levels.) 


1. With power to the QL disconnected, carefully insert 
the 1.C.€ ROM-cartridge into the cartridge port of the 
Qu. 

2. Power up, and familiarize yourself with the use o 
1.C.£. as described in the 1.C.£. User's Manual here- 
after the IUM. 


3. Insert the CHOice Microdrive cartridge in Microdrive 
and a blank formatted cartridge in Microdrive 2. (Format 
ting a cartridge with I.C.E. is discussed on pages 8-9 0 
the IUM) 

4. Put the small arrow in the MDV 1 icon (picture) and 
click" the spacebar twice to bring up the CHOice direc- 
tory. (The IUM uses the word “direct as a verb to 
describe this process 

5. Put the arrow in the 


BACKUP area of the function strip 


and click once to prepare a full backup of the 
CHOice cartridge, (This is your backup of CHOice 
master cartridge which contains 31 files uses 170 


sectors; this is not your working copy of C 


6. Remove the CHOice master cartridge from Microdrive 1, 
store it with the crown jewels, and insert the backup 
master cartridge just prepared in Microdrive 1. Insert 
another blank formatted cartridge in Micr 
up the CHOice directory again, put the arrow in the 
CLONE_BAS icon, and click twice. (This copies 17 files 
from the backup master CHOice cartridge onto the 
multitasking working copy of CHOice, which y 
further configure and add to meet your needs. 


drive 2. Brin 


7. Remove the backup master CHOice cartridge from WNicro- 

land insert your working copy of CiOice. (To 
stel) RaMisk software, bring up the CHOice directory 
f MOY 1, put the arrow In the BOOT fcon, and click 
tatce; when the CXGice menu eppears, click once.} 


&. To establish “multitasking” suites--using Psion soft- 
ware ar other progt prams repent the above procedure; when 
the ChOice menu appears, position the Alghiight bar on 
INSTALL TASKS, click once, and foliow screen fastructians 
as explained ja the JUM. 
HOTE: To use RAMSisk ith multitasking, the following 
steps must be followed in strict sequence. First, having 
breviously installed and saved a multitasking suite of 
one or more Psion software programs and 1.€.£., and 
having reset the QL, (1) execute the BOOT progran and 
follow instructions om “Install Rw Otek”, (2) execute @ 
multitasking suite [a "Y fHte) and follow screen in- 
structions. Third, retura to I.C.E. and fermat and load 
your RAMdIsks. (Multitasked programs should mot be {ne 
cluded on RAMdisks used with multitasking suftes; PRIMTER 
_DAT and _ HOB $4 are the only essential Psion software 
subprograms.) Programs to be wu) ei tasked should be con- 
figured for use with RAN@isk using the CONFIG. program 
found en the Abacus Micredrive cartridge.) Finally, ciick 
the QUIT function to returm to the Task Co 
tasking) menu. 
Although a}1 four Psion seftare programs way be 
muititasked simiteneously with £.C.E., ewly tuo--er, at 
most, threé--can 6 together practical: 
Following are a table listing the aumber of sectors 
required on R&tdisk for vartous Psion software prograits 
and sub-programs, and a prepesed scheme for using task 
suites conpo: of (2) QL Quill--tord Processor. a 
Archives-Databese and (2) QL Abmems--S) 
Easel--Business Graphites. (if task suites are n 
used, forme REMdisks for the higher value and 
aaanittel elements of the Psion softmare progrems on id 
disk 


GuAll (UPI: EQ bytes, SEK, 10% sactars 


printer gat: 142 Bybes, 178K, 1 sester 
quad _falss 


Bas, EN, 18 saetawe 


FAA_LS or FORMAT Rand Ie 


Archive (HED: S218 hytes, SEK, 10% asetors 
Printer sets FE Bytes, A/BE, i sactor 
arch_feb: BIE bytes, SIX, 6 sectors 


PORRAT RAVE_SS ae FORMAT ReMe_A7TC 


Abeeus (35); SI7E Bytes, BAX, 102 asctors 
PENNEr_Gats 219 Bytes, EK, A sector 
aho_pob: SOGGE bytes, 81%, YW seotars 
cantigfas: 7S bytes, GK, 6 sestars 
FORAY RANE (61) or FORMAT RAN_ISS 


Easel (2B: bytes, SEK, 12% esctera 


Gorin prt: SEO bytes, RK, % sa 
ROD: L7YOB wysee, AVM, St sectorw 


store 


FORMAT RAT MO or FORRAT BAY _A7O 


fsteblish @ numbering coaventien fer your Psion 
software programs end their tive datafilas go that 
you my configure the programs | BAS which fs 
found on the Abacus [Spread eet] Cartridge) accordingly. 
If you cam spare the cartridges, clone and configure 


Rteredrives when you do mot wish to use RANI sk. 


another set of Psion softwere programs for use with the 12°" oF 


If you wish to guititash Quilt, Archive, and Abacus 
ustag CHdice, I recommend the foliawing RAMdIisk program 
end datafile sector lengths: 

Guill pregrem 25/date 200 sectors; 


archive prepron SS. 


0 seekers: 


Crews peageen Widate BO eactars 


I vould configure Quill to read system and 

ta ané deta frow RANS and 
format RAMI_25 and RAHS_¢ 200. then fastalliag the Tasks, 
enter 50 sectors working space. Thts will leave about 10% 
free--a bare aiaimum for trewdle-free operation. 

it is more practical to multitask onty two Psion 
software programs at one time using Mice. J have ine 
stalled Quill and Archive together and Abacus with Easel. 
Muititesking only tue Psion software programs at a time 
permits the use a af larger worktag spaces (200 sect 
for each program and larger datafile RAMdisks (243 sec- 
tors) with sere free memory. 

The way 1.C.E. Chidice are set up precludes 
“automating” such things as the formatting and leading of 
Riidisks wie umst always be done manually using the 
*potnt aad click” syst 

Aside from its importa 
of writin 


2 


t wirtwe--vnique at the time 
‘apid switching between Psion 
your place, 1.€.E. seems 
systems, employing such 
fective screen caleulater, 
mtensions, and one’s om defined 
us to me. 


ehings as redefined keys, an 
additional Super 


E 


ysten whieh peraits all of those feature: 
Toolkit, version 0.07, dasigned by Youy Tebby. 
author of @ Toolkit and the anew Ql SuperTOMKIT 2. 
ivatlable nas frow CARE Electrontes ia the a 
cartridge EPROM or on Micredrive, this wei tiey 
eludes am efficient RAMdisk driver and 27 Supe 
extensions, including RAYNSE (key ia or program RAK_USE 
USE adv, as desired) end a very rapid Micro 
di shi-taraiteradr copying syst (wcoPy). 

fons provided by the utility 
AJOB, STAT, USTAT, WOIE, 
bel, Fy vies, EWR,” TRUNCATE, CLOCK, BATA USE, 
, ERVAS, FLEN, FIVE, FOAT, FOREN, FOP 1%, FOP wets 
Fo oven aind Fort ore. 

Wot directly cempatible for simultaneous use with 
the original Gjump QL Yootkit, ft is easily patched ts do 
80. (Send 28 ceuts and 2 S.A.S.E. for a copy of QJump's 
patch which will permit emy version of QL Toolkte to 
e property with the PERL YooTbit.} 


Listing 1 is a boot program for using Oust) aad 
archive together on RAMdIsk with the PCML Toolkit. The 
asic program end defined procedures and functions, some 
oF them utili ty une tt ens, which couprise the listing 
are, for the mest part, self-decumnting. The machine 
code programs qdtg, minieale, and aut Lkey are the 
eleck She sheet Weted on page 42 of the “Concepts” section 

Sinclair QL Guide. G@CALC, mae REVORF INE. 


ts the 


respectively, which are multitasked with the Psion soft- 
ware programs. The latter two are products of Psientific 
Software. 

Listing #1 may be easily modified to suit your needs 
and the type of RAMdisk software possessed. 

The Qflash RAMisk Driver 2.5 is ano frills utility 
on Microdrive cartridge. It has three distinct ad- 
vantages over the other systems: it is by far the 
fastest--noticeable when using large files with RAMdisks; 
it is the most efficient in that RAMdisks do not have to 
be formatted and are flexible in length; and it is the 
most flexible, permitting any type of “automatic” system 
to be devised. It has two disadvantages, both of which 
are to be corrected in Tater versions: it has no RAM USE 
facility and no selective fast copy routine. No RAM_USE 
facility is a mixed disadvantage in that it permits more 
direct access to RAMdisk and Microdrive files. The Qflash 
RAMdisk Driver 2.5 is available directly from Qflash, 
Post box 10 21 21, D-2000 Hamburg 1, West Germany, tele- 
phonephone (Hamburg) 040~6512742 or 040-7650461, $27 ppd. 

Use of the Qfiash RAMdisk Driver is quite straight- 
forward, and its documentation jis excellent, factors 
which enable the user to employ RAMdtsks readily ina 
variety of uses. 

The use of additional memory and RAMdisks might well 
fulfill atl of your QL computer needs without resort to 
floppy disks. It seems to be working for me. 

WEXT TIME: “Games for the Sinclair QL: A Potpourri", 
and the results of the First Annual Thomas B, Woods Award 
Contest. 


Listing 1. PCML RAMdisk Boot Frogran 


CLEAR: g=01 weo 

WINDOW 512, 256,0,0: CSIZE 1,1: PAPER 21 IN 
7 CLs 

AT 7,68 PRINT “LOADING GL QUILL-ARCHIVE" 
AT 9,23 PRINT " Do you wish to use RAMdiak 
tysay 

AF NOT INKEYS(-id=="y"s weir GO TO 29 

AT 7,403 PRINT "Y"s AT 21,2: PRINT " key * 
@ for DUILL only or *B* for both QUILL and 
ARCHIVE 

7 IF INKEYS(-1)e="q"s geii GO TO B 

8 AT 0,38: PRINT 
9 FORMAT rami _2i0 
10 AT 2,38:PRINT 
11 FORMAT ram_240 

12 IF gets GO TO 17 

13 AT 4,30: PRINT “ram2_ = “5 

14 FORMAT ram2_210 

15 AT 6,38: PRINT “rame_ = "5 

16 FORMAT ramé_250 

17 PAUSE 2001 fis 

1 PRINT “ COPY DESIRED MDV1_ FILES TO RAMI 


euUseURN™ 


T9 WCOPY mivi_,ram) 


20 CLS: PRINT“ COPY DESIRED MDV2_ FILES TO 
RAMS _* 


21 WEOPY mdv2_,rams_ 
22: 1F qeir GOTO 28 


TIME DESIGNS 
MAGAZINE 


ONLY 
$15 year 
SIX ISSUES 


23 CLS: PRINT “ Insert ARCHIVE program carte 
adge in Microdrive i":PRINT “and ARCHIVE 
datafile cartridge in Microdrive 2"1 PRINT 
# then key and ENTER 'C’“: STOP 

24 CLS: PRINT " COPY DESIRED MDVi_ FILES TO 
RAM2_" 


25 WCOPY advl_,ram2_ 

26 CLS! PRINT” COPY DESIRED MDv2_ FILES TO 
RAME_* 

27 WEOPY mdv2_,rame_ 

29 CLS: AT 5,2: PRINT " Do you wish to set c 
tock? (y/m) * 

30 IF INKEYS(-1)e="y"1 AT 7,01 PRINT " Perfo 
rm SDATE yyyy,em,dd,nh,mm,es"t STOP 


31 AT 8,0: PRINT "key enter QUILL or 
ARCH": PRINT * Cf not using RAMDI sk," 
PRINT insure correct cartridge in mdv 


1%: STOP 


7000 REMark PROCEDURES t FUNCTIONS 

9002 DEFine PROGedure quill 

9003 IF wet: wee"mdvi_“: ELSE : w8="rami_" 
7004 — WINDOW #0, 400, 20.25, 215 

9006 IF wood: EXEC wekmini calc” 

9008 = EXEC wek"quill key” 

7010 EXEC wSk"adtg" 

9012 EXEC_W wes "GLWP™ 

9014 OPEN @1,con1 OPEN #2,con 

9016 END DEFi 
9018 DEFine PROCedur 
9019 IF welt wee"mdvi 
9022 EXEC_W wS&"ARCHIVI 
7023 _ OPEN #1,con: OPEN #2,con 
9024 END DEF: 
9026 DEFine PROC@dure SRAM 

9028 CBIZE 0,1 

9030 CLS) AT 6,02 INK 2: PRINT * 
ILL DATA CARTRIDGES IN mdvi_ & mdv2_“: PAUSE 
300s INK 43 CLS 

9034 WCOPY ramS_,mdv2_ 

9036 CLS: WDIR: PAUSE 300 

9038 CLE: AT 6,0: PRINT “CHECK GUILL DATA 
CARTRIDGE IN MDV1_ OR KEY "G’"1 PAUSE 300 
O40 WCOPY mdvE_) movi. 

9042 — UDIR mdvi_ 

7044 END DEFine 

7046 DEFine PROCedure reb 

9048 | RAM_USE ram 

7050 INK 2s CLS: PRINT “Key and ENTER QUIL 
Lor ARCH" 

9052 END DEFine 

9054 DEFine PROCedure SRAMS 

9055 — CSIZE 0,1 

9058 —CL8s AT 6,0: INK 2: PRINT “INSERT AR 
CHIVE DATA CARTRIDGES IN MDVI_ & MDV2_": PAU 
SE S00: INK 41 CLS 

9060 


1s mdv2 
9064 CLS WDIR: PAUSE 300 

9066 CLS: AT &, Of PRINT “CHECK DATA CARTRE 
DGE IN MDVI_ OR KEY *a"“ 

9008 = WCOPY rams_,mdvi_ 

9070 CLE: WDIR edvi_ 

9072 END DEFine 

7074 DEFine PROCedure C 

9076 — CONTINUE 

9078 END DEFine 


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Te DERONS WAGAENE COMP 
‘a9 Re eCaton Gregan POT 


eno | 


Editor's Note: "Quick Look” Is a new software review 
column for the OL. The concept and graphics were do- 
Stoned by TIME. DESIGNS regular, Paul Binghame The 
“scorecard” rating system witl be used, and may be 
adopted for the 1/5 2068 and 1000 reviews as well. 


QSPELL 


A REVIEW 
by Paul Bingham 


The very reason this dedicated 208 owner bought a QL 
was because there was a spelling checker program avail- 
able for it--something I had been waiting in vain to see 
for the 2068. Spe?ling has always been a real problem, 
solved up until now with two spelling texts, four dic- 
tionaries, or using the PC and hard disk at work, with an 
80,000 word proof reader program. How it would not be 
fair to compare QSPELL with a program for hard disk, so I 
won't. After al}, the QSPELL dictionary fits withing 70K. 

QSPELL loads fts thirteen sections (some of which 
are ia BASIC) in just under on and a half minutes. The 
program is very professional, making good use of color 
and windows. All the wenus are icon-driven, point-and- 
press easy. A mouse would work great! The instruction 
booklet appears to have been done on soweone's type- 
writer. This is perfectly acceptable of course, except 
that the instructions are a Vittle ambiguous in places 
including (believe it or not[!]) at least on spelling 
mistake. The help screens are almost verbatim what is 
written in the booklet. 

The program itself has many procedures. One makes a 
QSPELL version of Quill with which is is compatible. 
Another allows access to the 25,000 word dictionary to 
add to it, delete from it, even erase it entirely and 
start over. For puzzle buffs, OSPELL allows a word to be 
entered with question marks in place of one or many 
letters. OSPELL then quickly lists the word or words that 
fit the bill. Its almost like cheating for crosswords, 
but it can effectively be used to teach proper spelling. 
By entering a prefix followed by the program almost 
instantaneously produces a list of all the words be- 
ginning as such. QSPELL will also list ail words possible 
from another word's letters or solve anagrams. 

But the real reason to buy a spelling checker is to 
check spelling. After taking the limits of 70K into 
account, I assumed they had put mostly small words in the 
list to reach 25,000. So I dug out my spelling texts and 
went to work, One book has a list of aver 500 of the most 
commonly misspelled words from studying some 11,000 
business memos. I ran this list through and 81% were in 
QSPELL. 1 then ran through a list of “demons” (hard-to- 
spell words many of which mo one uses) like crevasse, 
khaki, and larynx. Suprisingly 423 of these were there, 
too. With QSPELL's Auto-Learn feature, such a list can be 
easily added to the dictionary and saved. 

Proofreading takes about 20 seconds per full page 
and wil) highlight on the scree or on a printout (in BOLD 
type} words QSPELL does mot recognize. Puzzle mode can 
then be accessed to help find the correct spelling or you 
can resort to your oid Webster's on the shelf. 

Overall, QSPELL is a marvel. It is sophisticated, 
professionat, and very fast. Like Quill, QSPELL would 
benefit from some memory expansion. QSPELL at under $30 
is a must. 82 sure to get the version for the W.S.--the 
British version BOES NOT work with our Quill? (or QLWP as 
it is called). 


RDS WOT FORD 18 OSPELL 85 VESTER: 


CORTON ERRORS: alluded ganulded olusns atfeavit ager avote 
aluoiwo analyze aperanriation assesssbie itusrous 
bookkeeping Durrauer brokerane canceled capotal :zation 
tartage cellatera! ronaod: ty coowunt ty rercessicn 
considerable consianee conteoplating covveyance conperate 
corroborate defray disburssaents miscermible dietributor 
cobarrans endescor foreclosure funeacental oar se 
lapracticable imasouch iasabwency itea:zed oan:ta seaorandua 
cercantile anddlocan aisrapresest msstate aisspellee 
onistener —auctlaye wukary —anturthstasding obstacle 
wrérnance = owerdras pavilion peculiarities nbary 
bareissibls perpendicular gerussi phetestat plaratité 
piausible orecedence aroninence prosrssory prospects 
readjustoent rebate reconstruction regardless reioburse 
relations reepd: reaitkance represeitative requsttion 
respecttully respectively ridiculaus salutation solvent 
sseculate sublet subsidize suggestion super stuous, 
susceptible sundicate apsteastize tanganle tariff tackier 
twansient treasurer traplicete tyaegeapnical 
DEMOKS: aberration squrews arctic bats ius Dassimet bestral 
dourlion caivy cancetlation casvass caul cellar chentre 
theyer cole slop colicky cooplaisance contractible 
Cornucopia coroitary tarraberate councilor ceunse}lor covey 
distensble évaceptic ebullient ecstasy ephemeral gskioos 
excel enpansible fluorescent fulsooe gerlscay genealogy 
bavakiri hemorrhage hoping inoculate isthaus tilos labeled 
Oneoonies picaicking perfactibie ahlego rarety recervable 
referver sacrilegious sarsaparilia sesece stellacied 
sepersede treagle vendible oriest 


User Friendliness 
Documentation 
Flexibility 
Compatability 
Lives up to Claims 
Use of QL Abilities 


Blank Cartridges Required 


Blank Cartridges Included 
32 Buns on 0.8. T.¥. mode 


FINAL SCORE: 


CONTSENTRATION 
A 2-Player Memory Game For The T/S 1000 


by Fred Nachbaur 


“CONTSENTRATION" is @ £S1000 adaptation 
of the famous card memory game. Two players 
alternate turning over “cards", looking for 


a match. When a match is found, the cards 
are zemoved and placed in the appropriate 
player's "pile". Finding a match entities 


the player to another turn. The player with 
the most cards in his pile after ail cards 
have been removed, wins. 

The "cards" are actually the letters of 


ecards that have been moved because they are 
put back slightly askew; this program simu~ 
lates this by showing turned cards as in- 
verse "t" instead of inverse "0". At the end 
of the game, the winner is indicated, 

Believe it or not, this program runs in 
a 2K TS1000. However, to save space, some of 
the variables are defined manually. Enter 
the program lines, then enter the following 
immediate commands: 


the alphabet. There are two of each Letter, 


for a total of 52 cards. It is therefore ter on 
exactly like playing the game with @ stan~ LET g=2 
dard deck of cards, where you match red or Lev R=4 
black pairs. When you start the program, you LET S=13. 
are prompted to enter the players' names LET Leai 
{maxigum 8 characters}. The program then LEY Keo 
"shuffles" the deck, and lays out the cards OM BSC4, 13) 
in a 4x13 matrix. The players’ names are DIM N&C2,8> 


shown below, and 4 ">" cursor marks whose 
turn it is. To turn over a card, enter the 
cow (1-4) followed by the column (A-M). For 
instance, the card in the top left corner is 
TA. T£ you enter an invalid input, it is re~ 
jected and the input prompt reappears. If 
the spot is empty, the program rubs it in 


Start the program with GOTO 100, er GoTo 50 
to SAVE to tape. Do not use RUN or CLEAR! 

If you have 16K or more, add line 1 
GOTO 100, and put the inmediate commands 
into Line numbere 100-109. If this is done, 
it is OK to use RUN to start the program. 

In the listing, lower-case letters cep- 


and re-prompts. resent inverse video. For example, line 450 
Ater turning over the second card, if is inverse 0's separated by normal spaces. 
you have a tiatch the cards are removed and Line 700: "@" represents inverse "+", Sub- 


Placed next to your name. If no watch, you 
have a few seconds to memorize what is there 
before the cards are turned over again. When 
playing with real cards, you can often tell 


routine 4 is a “blinkless PAUSE”. Like PAUSE 
it can be terminated prematurely with a key- 
press (as after turning the second card, or 
duxing an error message). Enjoy the game! 


aa 620 GOTO UAL “520° 
bin scar 638 IF MCP=iO> AND 1¢PI=1O> 
WHEN 
SLOW bre 
PRINT TAB M;°col "(TAR Rz°A 6358 
S@CUEFGHIJKLE °,*row Soe Paint Aviso ae 
440 FOR @=P YO R 
458 PRINT AT #eQeP,05" "yas" o 676_1F BOCHIPY , ICP) @R0(HCO? , 1 
@> THEN GOTO VAL ° 760° 


RETURN 
PRINT @T GoH(8> <P, Q01(B 7°05 


RETURN 
SAVE "CONTSENTRATI On" 
Let Teo 
PRINT AT R.ReRs*conTSentrat 
+ yy. °QY F NACHBOUR’ , 
140 GOSUG R 
136 FOR @=P TO @ 
166 PRINT *Here-PLaVER > 3@57 > 
178 INPUT BecA> 
186 NEXT A 
206 LET @G=°ABCDEFGHI JKLMNOPORS 


PRINT AT SeMeT,O;°>*3aT Sort 


8 
€ S(P)eSCG=Suo THEN GOTO 
T,O;* “AT 4,0;°ROW/COL ° 5B i 


GOTO VAL °498" 
LET ScTePrmB(TeP) oP 
PRINT AT SePereT ,PoS(ToP) FC 
HRS (CDOE C821 28> 
780 LET Cons * 
790 FOR BP TO @ 
793 LET BOcHCe? Acar © 
99 NDT 6 
16 GoTe WL 710° 
Q20 IF $C) (>6C0> THEN PRINT AT 


INPUT ce 


eT eaeen ee, TF LEN C60@ THEN BOTO UAL 


Fast 
aap TO sas 
BINT (RNDSSeReP> 
ERENT CANDeBaROP? 
Camas (8) 
AOCB RAS .CCD 
PBCCECS 


*S58" 
558 IF CBCPD<74" OR COCP)>"4° O 
R CO O>¢*A” BR COCO)>°N> THEN 60 


LET WiBreuaL CeCP) 
LET 2¢@SCODE C8<¢ 0-37 


NOT & 

FOR a0 TOM 

LET BS(AcPrmasiaaseP TO > 
NEXT & 


LET COmBocHe@) ,1¢B>> 
IF CO@>* * THEN GOTO YAL 


608 
616 GOSUE R 


18 


“6 L=@.O57wi mner~° HO (Pod S(O) >SCP> 


o> 
sin oT L,0;-epot empty. 288 PRINT AT L041" GoTo 180 TO 


- In this case the oper 
king. Another form 

ve one program ioad 
ly by inserting as a 
“Load "PROGRAM NAME" 


vo programs 
clus ior, 


ant yar no 
each 
gE to 

_eomputed @ previous 

WEYS pass vari- 


» ect., ne ograms for the U/S 
4900 and 1500. the? first is the VARS method, 
the second is the System Variables method, 
the third is the Safe area method, and the 
fourth is the above RAMTOP method. The pass 
age of variables, strings, code, ox text 
one module to another using the VARS 
heds is made i 

or GOTO comme 
like NEW, Da ‘ 


above 


© 
» 


i 


of Dit 


mo 


must 


{(@ the data 
Ve 


module, must be in the Safe area of the 
second module. The area in VARS ef the sec- 
ond module, where the data is stored, must 


be in the Safe area of the next module, ect. 
In other vords, the top of the Calculator 
stack during the program RUN of the succeed- 
ing module, must not enter the area occupied 
by the data in the VARS area of the pre- 
ceding module. (see Fig. No.1}. The position 
of the area of VARS occupied by the data can 
be adjusted by enlarging the program using 
REX or DIM statements. 

Passing the text in a string frem one 
module to the next is not difficult. Yari- 
ables however, are stored in the program and 
VARS area using a special floating point 
Sinclair format. Passing a variable in this 
format is much more complicated. Any good 
text on Assembly language or MachineCode for 
T/S computers, covers the Sinclair format 
for numerical data and is beyond the scope 


ef this article. It is much easier to pass 
variables by converting them to a string. 
For example, type the foliowing into the 


computer and RUN it: 


18 LET A=123456789123a5 
2B LET AS=STRE A 
38 PRINT a$ 
The result displayed should be: 
41.2345679E+13 
If you change line 18 te s negative value 
the result displayed showld be: 
-1,2345679E+13 
To convert the string back to a variable 
add: 
4@ LET ASVAL A$ 
52 PRINT A 
and ENTER: GOTO 40 
Lines 40 and 506 would be in the next module. 
As you can see, variables with over thirteen 
digits to the left of the decimal point are 


converted to the Scientific notation. The 
same thing applies to strictly decimal val- 
ues with more than four zeros to the right 


of the decimal point. 

If you want the string to be passed to 
be the first data in the VARS area, then use 
a DIM statement for the string befere any 
other assignments are made, including loops. 
This reserves the space. Normally the ating 
to be passed will be the last data in assign 
went end a DIM statement is not required. 
The last character of the string will then 
be two addresses below E Line if undimen- 
sioned or dimensioned with only one di- 
mension, like DIM A$(14}. For string arrays 
{two or more Gimensiens}, refer to Appendix 
of your Owner's Manual. 

@o illustrate a Chained program 
the VARS method, ENTER: NEW and type in 
following module "ONE" 


using 
the 


48 LET a=12345678912 
22 OIM x${oge) 

20 LET AG=STRE A 

42 LOAD "Teo" 

52 SAVE “ONE 


62 RUN ivi 


PROGRAM CUAINING (VARS METHOD) 
RaseToe 


BaMTOP: 


Line 10: Assigns a numerical 
variable A. 

Line 20; Makes a large increase in the size 
of the program by reserving space in the 
VARS area, raising the address where A$ will 
be stored into the Safe area of the next 
module. This Safe Area was determined for 
module "THO" using the methods described in 
the referenced RAM Jungle article. 


value to the 


Line 30: Converts the variable A, whose 
value is to be passed to the next moduis, 
into a string with a length of 11 digits. 


Line 40: Automatically leads the next module 
and prevents the program from going inte an 
endless save loop. 

Lines 50 and 60: Make module “ONE" self- 
running when saved with a GOTO 50 and loaded 
with the direct command LOAD "ONE". 

Save this program on tape using the 
dizect command GOTO 50. When the diagonal 
lead lines are displayed, stop the tape. Do 
not rewind the tape as you now have the 
correct amount of tape from module "ONE" to 
record module "TWO". Use the BREAK key to 
return to the programming mode. Find the 
addrese of E Line by entering the diraect 
command: 


PRINT PEEK 15424+2S6*PEEK 16495 


The result should be 16312 (16K RAM} or 
17544 {2K RAM}. The address of the last 
character of string AS is this value minus 
two. 

Enter NEW and type in module 
Follows: 


*“TWO" as 


1@ DIM A$(11) 

28 LET @=41 
For 16K RAM 

32 FOR N=1832@ To 16312 
For 2« RAM 

32 FOR N=17S32 To 17542 
Beth RAMs 


48 LET AS(BJ=CHRS PEEK W 
5@ LET B=8+4 


60 NEXT N 

70 LET ASVAL AG 
6@ PRINT A 

aga STOP 

199 SAVE "Two 
419 AUN 


Line 10; Reserves space in the VARS area of 


program module "TWO" for the 11 digits of 
the string. 
Line 30: This is the address of the string 


passed from the VARS area of module “ONE" to 
the Safe Area of module "Two". 


Line 40: Converts the recovered decimal code 
to the character and stores it in its proper 
place in the VARS area of module "Two", 

Line 70: Converts the string te a variable. 
The other program lines are self explana- 
tory. 

Save program module "TWO" on the 
using the direct command GOTO 100. When 
error report C/70 appears on the 
step the recorder. Rewing the tape. 
NEW. To operate the chained programs, use 
the direct command LOAD ONE". When the 
diagonal load Lines are displayed, start the 
tape. After module “ONE” loads and runs, 
diagonal load Lines will again be displayed. 
After module "TWO" loads and runs the value 


tape 

the 
Sereen, 
Entex 


of the variable passed from module "ONE" to 
module “T#O" will be displayed. 


Last 


issue 
(Hex) numbers and I left you with a machine 


we discussed Hexidecimal 


code (NC) hex loader. You should have no- 
ticed that these are very simple programs. 
That's to allow you to enter and debug them 
easily, as well as make whatever changes you 
@esire. Please feel free to change then. 

We now need to explore the nature of 


uC. Since you are already familiar with 
BASIC, I will draw some comparisions. The 
first difference is that MC does not use 
program line numbers to tell the CPU (re- 


member him?) in what order to perform tasks. 
NC instructions are executed in the order in 
which they occur in memory. Even after a 
jump {Goto or Gosub}, MC continues to ex~ 
ecute the instructions sequentially as they 
are found at the address jumped to. 
Secondly, there are about 700 MC in- 
structions for the Z80, as opposed to the 70 
or so available in Sinclair BASIC. Don't let 
this Scare you off. All 700 instructions can 


be placed in about a dozen catagories and 
are, therefore, variations on a theme. We 
will confine each lesson to one of these 
catagories. 

The biggest difference is in how MC 
"crashes", Crash is a term used to describe 
the condition resulting from an involuntary 


exit of the program (i.e., stopping with a 
full screen error, undefined variable error, 
ect.). When MC crashes there are no exrox 
messages to aid us, due to the fact that we 
are not operating within the confines of the 
BASIC interpreter. Often, the only recovery 
is to pull the power plug and begin again. 
For this reason, I recommend you always Save 
your MC prior to execution. Saving it will 


Beginning 280 Machine Code 


by Syd Wyncoop 


Part Two 


not prevent a crash but, 
easier recovery. 

There are two things te remember that 
will help prevent MC crashes. First, you 
cannot use the Break key to step your MC 
xoutine unless it is reading the keyboard 
and accepting a Break instruction. (Not 
likely in most cases.) Second, MC will not 
stop executing unless it is instructed to do 
so. MC will continue executing instructions 
(vemember all numbers are instructions}, as 
they are found. The easiest way to solve 
both problems is to end your routines with a 
“zeturn to basic" instruction. 

We need to determine where we will 
store our MC, as that ig the £irst prompt in 
our MC Loader. MC can be stored almost any- 
where, although above RAMTOP is best in the 
T/S 2068, as it can save bytes as Code. RAM- 
TOP is a system variable which tells the 
BASIC operating system how much memory is 
available, and more specifically, what is 
the last available address in RAM. RAMTOP is 
not necessarily the very end of physical 
memory, however, for BASIC, it is the top of 
usable memory. Also, addresses above RAMTOP 


it does allow for 


are unaffected by NEW. Therefore, your rou- 
tine cannot be earsed. 

The T/S 1000 presents some special 
challenges. The best place is still usually 


above RAMTOP, however, the 1000 cannot Save 
bytes from high memory. We will therefore 
store our MC in a REM statement. 


There are 
other ways, but this is the easiest to Save 
and execute for now. Later, we will find 
that MC can still be most anywhere. 

The ease of execution from the first 
REM statement results from our knowing the 
exact address at which the MC starts. Look- 


ing in the Sinclair manuai's 
memory storage, 
line is stored: 


section on 
reveals how a BASIC program 


wo“ 


Se cated 


high low low 


v 7 r 7 t 7 7 


) 2 bytes | 2 bytes | 
) 1 : ' ‘ ‘ 
Length of Text 
Text + 4 


The first two bytes are the line number 
and note they are in direct opposite order 
of the normal storage of two byte numbers. 
The next two bytes are stored ag the 280 
would normally store numbers and represent 
the length of the text in the line plus the 
Enter (which is used by the Basic Inter~ 
preter as an “end of line” marker). Next, 
follow the Basic text and finally the EOL 
marker. This makes the first byte after REM, 


the sixth byte in the line and in the pro~ 
gyam area if the line is the first line of 
the program. This address is 16514 in the 
t/S 1000, since the Basic program area he- 
gins at 16509, We will insure that we are 
working with the first line as follows. 


Type: 
1 REM ENTER, POKE 14510,0 ENTER 


We have also insured that our first line 
cannot be Edited even though it will still 
Save. 

The next thing we need to do is make 
space in our REM atatement to held our MC. 
Refering to the chart above, the EOL marker 
ia next after REM. We must never overwrite 
the EOL marker as we will cause an awfui 
nasty crash. Type four lines of spaces after 
the REM (you can figure how to edit it) and 
Save your MC loader with your Line OG to 
avoid retyping it next time. This is very 
wasteful of memory, but will serve us weil 
for now. Your REM statement need only con~ 
tain the exact nuaber of bytes you need, 
when working within a program. 

We now need to know how to execute 
{Run} our MC. This is accomplished with the 


USR function. The Sinclair user's manual is 
a little vague on its use. The proper syntax 
a Command WSR x 
Where: Command=most Basic commands 

USRSUSK function 

Xesddress ta begin executing from 
samples; RAND USK 16514 

PRINT USR 16514 

LET ASUSR 16514 


Boy, this is sure good stuff but, "I 
ain't written no MC program yet!" Well hang 
in there, we will get to the actual instruc- 
tions next issue. Right now though, how 
about a "aneak preview"? 

You may have heard of such terms as op- 
codes, mnemonics, assembly and disassembly. 
Opeode is short for Operation Code, and is 
the Hex numbers we will be entering. They 
econid just as easily be represented in dec- 
imal or binary, however, we have chosen Hex. 


Mnemonics are another shorthand which 
has been designed especially for us humans. 
The CPU understands a long list of numbers 


{opcodes}, however, I don't. I de understand 
mnemonics as they are almwast English (I did 


say “almost"). Look at the sample disa- 
ssembly below to see what I mean. 

Assembly is what we will be doing when 
we convert our NC programs to Hex. We will 


be Yassembling" our MC. Assembly Language is 
ancther term for MC, and is usually used to 
refer to the Opcodes. 

Disassembly is the opposite of assembly 
and is usually used to refer to a “listing” 
of MC instructions. Yeu will probably want 
to disassemble someone elsea MC after you 
wunidexstand what the Opcedes mean. That can 
help your understanding of MC, as you will 
already know what the program does. You will 
be able to see how the task at hand was 
accomplished. As in BASIC...there is no 
“single best way" te program in MC. We all 
develop our own style (or lack of it}. 

X will end this Lesson with a 
disassembly (the one we previously 
to}. May we soon know what it means. 


sample 
refered 


Address Label Upcndes Nnemenice Comments, 


16514 start 3EOn Ld A, oan pPut Ofh in A register 
16516 O10 Ld By 10h yPut 20h in B register 
16518 BO Add A,B gadd OAh & 10h and place 
16519 SF Le c,A gresuit in 6C regiater 
16520 o600 Ld BO 

16522 dene oF * Ret gReturn te Basic 


WHAT'S COMING UP? 


JULY AUGUST 86 


Natfonally-known Stnclale expert/writer, bes Erzozowsk!, jolns TDM for 


a series of artictes on a 2068 


memory bank-syitching system. The 


series Ts called, “Mystery of the Missing 255". 


Excerpta from the book “Highfalutin’ Computin®* by Bob Orrielt, will 
ecenfer as @ regular feature In TOM, Bob's book covers 8 


varlaty of 


ZkBi and TS1060 toptes. 


Two super 2068 graghtes programs: UDG's by Paul 
SCROLL by $20. Comke 


All our regular stuff too. 


MAGAZINE 


Bingham, and POLY- 


18 


I hope no one out there has the same problem I have. 
Over the years I have amassed lots of tapes containing 
saved programs and data for the T/S 2068, Though my in- 
tentions have been good, most of these tapes do not have 
a complete Jog of their contents. While writing and de- 
bugging programs a tape may have various versions and 
ae spread throughout both sides. Enter CASSETTE DIRECT- 

Vos 

One of the features of a floppy disc system is a 
directory containing information about files and programs 
on the disc (i.e., mame, type and size). Many of us are 
quite content to live with tape storage, but that doesn't 
Mean we must live with all of its disadvantages! The 
following program will allow you to play a tape, create a 


directory of the data stored on it, make hard-copies to 
your printer, or store to tape for future reference, As 
written, this program will only run on the T/S 2068, 


though it will make directories of Spectrum tapes. 


USING CASSETTE DIRECTORY 


The program is self-prompting and 99% crash-proof. 
Upon loading the program, you will be presented with a 
Menu, (see example 1) If you are starting a new direct- 
ory, Choose option 1, You will be asked to provide the 
name of the tape and the side you wish to “read”. You 
will then be told to play the tape. You may return to the 
Menu from almost any point in the program by pressing 
[BREAK/CAPS SHIFT]. Do not worry, this will not halt ex- 
ecution of the program. AS the header information is 
read, it will be displayed on the screen. (see example 2) 

Option 2, “Printer Switch”, will allow you to toggle 
on or off output to your T/S 2040 printer. If the printer 
switch is on, all output concerning the directory will be 
printed to the printer and the screen. After choosing 
Option 2, pressing “P” will turn the printer “on” if it 
is "off", or “off” if it is “on”, NOTE: Ouring Options 5 
and 6, if the printer switch is on, ali data from the 
directory will be sent to the printer before displaying 
it on the screen. There will be a small delay while the 
printer prints al] of the directory before any screen 
Output appears. You can halt the printer by pressing 
CBREAK/CAPS SHIFT], which will return you to the Menu. 
Then turn off the printer by using Option 2. 

A record of the directory can be saved or loaded to/ 
from tape by choosing Option 3 or Option 5. You will be 
prompted by the program on the particular steps to take. 

Option 4 will allow you to continue the directory 
from the last entry made. Choose this option if you have 
returned to the Menu after starting the directory (Option 
1) or have loaded a directory from tape and wish to add 
new data. The latter is in case you have added new pro- 
grams or data to your tape. 

Reviewing the directory, Option 6, will allow you to 
display or print the contents of a directory already com- 
piled. 

ENTERING THE PROGRAM 


The listing in Listing 1 contains the BASIC portion 
of the program and all of the Machine Code entering 
routines. Carefully type in the program. Before executing 
the program, make a back-up copy to tape by entering (as 
a direct command}--(SAVE “dir.list"]. As an aid to typing 
this program, I have attempted to leave all variables in 


DIRECTORY 


by Michael E. Carver 


Example 1 


lower case letters, thus commands in upper case should be 


keyword entries. Letters contained within the “ “in 
lines 9000 and 9050 must be in upper case. 

After you have made your back-up copy, enter as a 
direct command, [GQ TO 9000]. The machine code is com- 


piled into memory in three steps (lines 9000-9110). While 


the program compiles the code, checks will be made for 
possible errors in the lines containing code. If errors 
are detected, you will be advised where the error occurs 


and prompted to make corrections. 

When the machine code is compiled, the program will 
delete lines 9000-9988 and proceed to make a working copy 
of the program. By following the prompts, a copy of the 
BASIC program and the machine code will be saved and 
verified. The program will then go directly to the Menu. 
You are now ready to make order out of chaos! 


FOR THE CURIOUS 


The machine code routine first makes a copy of the 
“W_Bord” and “R Tape” portions of the EXROM. (see listing 
2) This routine selects the EXROM and opens the DOCK bank 
Port to read the EXRUM, 198 bytes are then copied from 
the EXROM (starting at OOE5h) to RAM (starting at 80E5h). 


Examale 2 


Directory of Work Tape Side A 


BASIC: directory Bytes: 
Autostart at 9996 


aszi 


Code: directory Bytes: 
Loads at 65253 


222 


BASIC? dir_iiet 
No Autostart 


Bytes: 


Acray: date Zz 
Variable 30 


title page Byte: 
Loads at 16384 


ooooodoooo0ooo0000000000 20 ooo0oooooo00000000000000 


The EXRON is then disabled and the DOCK port closed. The 
routine then copies the code contained at B0ESh to FEESN. 
For reasons unkamm to the author, attempting to transfer 
the EXROH routine directly to FEESH causes a few bytes to 
be copied as WOP's (f.e., OOM}. Im order ta odtain a 
working copy, it is necessary to use this convoluted 
method. 

Line $040 changes the high byte of all CALL and JP 
addresses in W Borad and R Tape to conform with fts new 
Vocation. 

The final section of code (Line 9050) overwrites the 
brevious transfer code with a routine to set up the 
registers and flags before calling the "R Tape" routine 
to read "header" information from the tape. 

When either the 1/5 2068 or Spectrum records data or 
programs to tape, a smal) “header” is recarded first. 
This header contains information on the program/data 
being saved, Byte 1 of this header contains the type (0 = 


BASIC program; 1 = number array; 2 = character string 
array; and 3 = code or bytes). Bytes 2-11 contain the 
fame of the program saved. Bytes 12 and 13 contain the 


humber of bytes saved. Bytes 14 and 18 contain either the 
address at which the data is to place in RAM or the Line 
umber For an autostart in BASIC nraarame 


Before calling & Tape, the carry flag must be set, 
signifying LOAD vs. VERIFY. Register A must be zero for 
header information and FF for program/data. The IX reg- 
ister points to the address in RAM where the date is to 
be placed and DE contains the number of bytes to be read 
from the tape. After data has beea read from the tape, 
address FFC3h is checked. If the data was from the header 
this address will contain a zero. If it doesa't, another 
attempt is made, 


The BASIC Program 


There are a couple of programming tricks in this 
program of note. The first is the use of ON LRR...To pre- 


vent a program from crashing due to operator error or 
errors from input (i.e., tape), this Vittle gem is of 
great value. It must be used with care. 11 nu method ot 


breaking out of a program is allowed (i.e., CN EX RESET) 
a bug in the program can cause an error, leaving no 
Choice but to turn off the computer and reload the pro- 
gram. If it is an autostart program, one will need to re- 
type it from scratch. 

The ON ERR command is activated by use, by the 
command "OK ERR GO TO x", where x is a line number. If an 
error occurs, for which a normal Error Report would be 
made by the system, the program will branch otf to the 
specified line number. One could set up routines ta 
correct this error (see Line 9990} or one can restart 
from another point in the program (i.e., ON ERR GO TO 
100 - Henu). The OK ERR routines in Directory watch for 
several “errors”. The R_TAPE routine, borrowed from the 
ROM, routinely checks the keyboard in case the operator 
has pressed BREAK to abort read, If a BREAK is detected, 
operation is directed from R_TAPE to RST 8, thus print- 
ing Error Report Code D (see manual Appendix H, pg. 289). 
If the OW ERR has been initialized, operation will be 
directed to the specified Lime number instead (i.e., 
100). 

Other errors could be caused by tape reading errors. 
In some cases commercial sottware may tave “talse” 
headers. These may contain unprintable characters within 
the name, causing an error. The Directory alsu watches 
for tape loading errors while losding or veritying com- 
piled directories. In this case, program execution is 
directed to Line 9990, informing ghe user of the problem 
and atloving a renewed attempt. This is accomp)ished 


Line 


kine 


Linge 


Line 2 


Line 


Line 


oooouuccoCDDoO0000R00KD 71 


without halting the execution of the program with Error 
Report Codes. the OM ERR RESEY in Line 120 is needed to 
allow an escape hatch. Hithout i, the user would not be 
able to leave the program to correct any progeanming/ 
typing errors or mate up-dates. 

Another programming trick, used by Directory, is the 
POKES in line 70 and 600, Av address 23692 (in ihe Spstem 
Variables) is Scr_Ct. This address contains the number of 
Vines which will Be automatically serotled on the screen 
before the "scroll?" prompt appears. This qumber is alway 
i more than the number of lines to be scrolled. If 23692 
contains 4z, 31 lines will be scrolled before the user is 
Prompted “scro}l2?" The PUKE in 70 wild allow the program 
to continue scrolling the screen as the directury is 
being displayed, (Since 255 is the largest number one can 
represent in & bits, 0-1 is like saying 256-1.) The PUKE 


in 600 restores the seroli count to 22 lines (2 tull 
screen}, 
DEBUGGING TIPS 
bue to the use of the ON ERR command in this pro- 


gram, debugging can be quite a problem, If upon making a 
choice from the menu you find yourself right back in the 
menu, check for an error in dines 12U & 130. If you still 
find yourself back in the menu, break program execution 


by (BREAK/CAPS SHIFT] and as a direct command enter 
CPRINT k$). Tf you do not get the results of your ast 
Menu choice, check subroutine 400, 

If the above fails, there is probably an error in 
subroutine you are calling from the menu. While in the 
Menu, BREAK-out and remove the ON ERR GOTO x, from any 
Vines in the suspected subroutine. Replace with OM ERR 
RESET. This will allow normal error report codes to 
appeer, giving you the needed debugging clues. Once you 


have corrected the problem, re-insert the proper OW ERR 
GOTO x‘s. 
BONUS NUMBER ONE 

We can use the machine code contained in the Direct- 
ory program, with some minor alterations, to LOAD blocks 
of data from tape without using the normal LOAD comand. 
Once you have a de-bugged version of Directory up and 
running and have saved a copy to tape, Break execution of 
the program and Enter asa direct command, “WEN. This 
will remove the BASIC portion of the program, leaving the 
machine code intact. Enter Listing 4. To use the program, 
enter the desired address you wish the data to be stored 
in RAM and how many bytes you want read. Bypass the 


header on tape, RUN program and start tape, (see Listing 
4a) 


BONUS NUMBER TWO 


I can see the glint in the eyes of the more adyen- 
turous hackers. One can transfer all of tne EXROM to RAN, 
allowing a leisured view and disassembledye. Go back to 
Listing | and enter Lines 9000, 9010, 9100, and 9110. 
Insert Listing 5. This program wilt automatically trans- 
fer and save the EXROM to tape. A copy of the EXROH now 
starts at 32768. 


PROGRAM NOYES 


Sets up newly created Diractary. 
S10. 

Calle machine code routing to read header tnser- 
mation from tape, Reads data ctored an memory 

inte string, accerding to type et date. BIBplays 
ingermatin to cereen/printer, MOTE LYNE 70: CHRO 
4% forces a 1ine-Seed te Gening. PRINT OF = LORIAT. 
eau 


See tines 300 - 


Printer omiten routine. MOTE LINE 230: IF prsncen 
ané °P* mas proased THEN print=O or IF grintso THEN 
prine=s, 

Seven Bircctary etring tm tape. MOTE: Since tne 
eeGputer will ently amve BIN"Sd variaDlos co 10 Rate 
%@ length 0% BO Getere Boving (ooe Iine 330). 
Suergutine to rend Keyboard fer input. 


oa 


Ling SO0- Allows input od Wircelory RAkIe, ROTE: CHRO #59 a6 = 
310° marker for ond wt eItim. 
Kine @00- Leads « Saved Bievctary Sema wane. 


Ling 61G- Prints cuspiied Wirectary ww veraeasarintor. Lanes 
GPO @IG-630 uearchon otriag Yar IRIs. 

Ling 9000 Comptios aachlar cade into aouary. Then deletes 
WEF Atecl? Letora Saving ane Vora yAAg greKgr sin 

Ling 9790 Subrautine to RaRaLe “Tope Loading" errars. 

Line 9908 @uitowtarts And IpAds anching sede Irom Lagicn 

Ling 99¥P Baves und verléios prugran. 


The author will provide 2 copy 
$4.00 (includes shipping}. Plea: 


6 send a chi 
VARTORLES v cts send @ ch 
order to: Michael Carver, 1016 NE Tillamook, Portls 
nO + BRBKES ErERGLALad BoAKer LagermAtian 97212. Also available are TS 2088 7 
+ MIATGa to hald Mo far caving to tape PABLO PIXEL-O (see SesvOet 1985 Time Di 
tS  RoRGI WOR RUyRAKed dmpue $4 ach or $8.00 for a a 4c 
nO = Becotwos nme to fe cewod or Leaded By 00-6007) OF:98-00 fo : 10 
26s Gemtaian coda = BARE AN DALONY 0 Please specify program 
fx © Paints fo RAH Camtalning header oth rend drom tape 
® = Length @9 BO amtalatng tstie ae directory. 
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880 IF EOE D=H™ AND KOE Ow 
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TNT BRIGHT LEAT A,SOePRINTER a 
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COS0OCOORSOoo000no0000000000000000000R000R00cC 


All Caps, Please!!! ., 2: v. 


There have been many good programs pub= 
lished for the 2068 that I would have copied 
except for the fact that lower case was 
used. This combined with reduced repro- 
@uction, iliegibility, and only fair eye- 
sight presents tco much ef a problem, and I 
dao not think that I am alone in thie. The 
2068 has o Capa-Lock key, and I use it when 
Pregramming. 

There ig an added benefit to using all 
caps in that you can gave memory by avoiding 


9910 WET ASPEEK 23635+2560PEEK 23634 
9920 LET E=PEEK 23627¢2962PEEK 23628 


FID FOR NeA+S TOE 
9740 
9950 If PEEK Nei4 THEN LET NeNes 


$960 IF PEEK Wei3 THEN LET NeNeS 


Bunnington 


Gouble IF statements such an: 
Iv a$="¥" OR aSe"y" THEN GOTO 10 
fo do thie you must insert a line inte the 
program te poke the system variable FLAGS2 
as follows: 
POKE 23658,6 
Thie prevents the use of lower cage, 
cen be restored by: 
POKE 23658,0 

If you will copy the following program, 
gave it om tape, merge it with a program to 
be listed for publication, run it using GoTo 
$910, £t will change all lower case chare- 
acters to upper case, except for double IF 
statements. You must of course delete these 
adéed linea befera LLISfing your program. 


which 


IF PEEK NeZé OR PEEK N=ié6 AND PEEK (N#3)=197 THEN LET NeWei3 


9976 IF PEEM N>=97 AND PEEK N<=122 THEN POKE N,PEEK N-32 
9980 WEXT 

9983 STOP 

9990 SAVE “ALL CAPS" LIME 9910 23 


Machine Language Program To Head T/S 2068 Tape Headers 


by Ed Shaughnesey 


The L/S 2068 program presented here 
reads the header of = pregram or code that 
igs stored on tape, and tells what command 
was used to save it. Suppose you have a 
BASIC program con tape that was saved for 
automatic start. This program will tell you 
at what line number the program will begin 
execution when it is loaded. Or suppose, you 
have a machine language routine on tape. 
This program will teli you its length and 
what location it was saved from. In each 
case, the information is shown by displaying 
the complete command that was used when the 
SAVE was done. 

When the BASIC program shown 
disting is run for the first time, it 


in the 
saves 


itself and then saves machine language code 
it has created. You can then rewind the 
tape, and run the pregram ao it will read 
the headers of ita own two backups. In this 
way, the program demonstrates itsel£, 

Let‘s look at the program. Line 20 


calls the subroutine that POKE's the machine 
language program into RAM. Line 40 saves the 
BASIC program. Netice that it is saved so 
that it will automatically start at line 90 
when it is loaded. Line 60 saves the machine 
Language cede. Line 110 and 120 will re- 
Peatedly execute the ML pregram that finds 
and xeads header information. At this point, 
when you are running the pregram fer the 
first time, rewind the tape and press the 
blay button. Preas any key to continue ex- 
ecution of the ML program. Soon you will see 
the familiar loading pattern on your sereen. 
Eventually the following wili be dizplayed: 
SA&VE “HEADER” LINE $0 
SAVE "HEADER"CODE 40000,176 
Compare these lines with lines 40 and 60 in 
the program, the two lines that did the 
saves. Press BREAK to terminate or the pro~- 
gram will continue to search for another 
header. 

You now have two versiona of the pro-~ 
gram on tape; the BASIC program and the ML 
Program. In the future, the quickest way to 
investigate a tape is te lead just the ML 
program. 
LOAD "HEADER" CODE 
Since you are not specifying any location or 
adength, it will be leaded ints the location 
it was saved from. Execute the machine lang- 
uage code. 
RANDOMIZE USR 40000 
A message will prompt you te start playing 
the tape that contains the program you wish 
to investigate. Then press any key so the ML 
routine will continue execution. The program 
will read the tape until it finds the first 
header. It will display the command that wes 
used to do the SAVE and then it will term- 
inate. The 17 bytes of the header area will 
be in a workspace in RAM, atarting at loca- 
tion 40200. You may examine this area with 
HOT 2 ey PEEK into it with a BASIC program. 


Page 237 of the T/S 2068 User's Manual 
shows the different formats of the SAVE 
command. Notice on page 238, that the result 
SAVE filename CODE 16384,6912 was actually 
accomplished with the command SAVE filaenane 
SCREENS. For a detailed explanation of what 
information is contained in the tape header, 
see P.H. Skipper's article in Yol.3 No.2 
issue of SyncWare News. 

As long as your computer is in T/S 2068 
mode, you can use this program to read 
Spectrum tapes as well ag 2068 tapes. If you 
have the SOPTAID tape, try that. If you en- 
counter strange results, it is due te copy 
protection schemes, To search through an en- 
tire tape, you may find it more convenient 
to lead the BASIC program, since it will 
continue reading successive headers on a 
tape until you press BREAK. 


AG REM THIS TSeBEE OR 
ATES AN ML ROUTINE Ta 

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ROGRAN 
Re 


DR CODE 


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finithe 

118 Fen 

Le@ RAN 

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zeQ LET 

210 For 

228 RES 
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7. BBS 

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24 Program Continued Next Page... 


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SET Sw.TCH TO CARTRIDGE OND MOVE NANE.ARD", 

SET Sw TT4 TS NORM ANC CAT NAME ARO, 
ALTERNATIVES. “OU CAN Suv THIS ASSEMBLY FROM AEF CT 
FOR $15 0 SENC YOUR CARTRIDGE AND S10 TO SERCO 77 
MAVE ST FUT ON OS« (PRICES INCLUDE RETURN SH'OGINT* 


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fape Re 


ADDING A JOYSTICK FOR THE SPECTRUM/ 2068 


by Jack Keene 


Having converted your 2068 to Spectrum 
mode of operation, you will find that most 


British software can be operated success~ 
fully from the keyboard, but a joystick 
might make life a little easier. While the 
joystick ports may be successfully accessed 


by the appropriate IN commands, this is of 
little use for commercial software. 

& variety of joystick conventions are 
used with the Spectrum, and many programs 
offer the choice of several. The curser key 
interface uses the cursor key lines + 0 for 
fire. The Sinclair Interface uses 6, 7, 8, 9 
and 0. However, the most common interface 
encountered is the Kempston style interface 
{Kempston is the trademark of Kempston Elec- 
tronics}. 

The Kempston pretecol interface is add- 
ressed to port 31 and may be accasssd from 
BASIC via IN 31. The follewing simple pro~ 
gvam--10 PRINT IN 3i;: GO TO i0--will ceturn 


MALE 
CONMEECTOR 


tw @148 Cs) 
AS 
TL 
a> 
2S &G ap 
Figure 1. 


SG 1S MM 63 12 ay 18 
Bete 


“Se foEQ Pe es Foi re 
Thu 


the following values for the appropriate 
joystick direction: 
RIGHT = £ UP/SRIGHT 
LEFT = 2 UP/LEFT = 18 
DOWN = 4 BOWN/RIGHT = & 
UP = 8 BOWNSLEFT = 6 


FIRE ADDS 16 TO ALL VALUES 


This type interface mey be constructed 
with a simple one chip circuit to plug in at 
the rear expansion connector, the cartridge 
port, or even wired in directiy. Due to 
simplistic deceding (A5 and FORD], this 
device will respond to more than port 31. 
However, this works well with wast other 
peripheral devices, 

Tf you are so inclined, the 
in Fig.i illustrates the interface from the 
wiring side view with the appropriate con- 
nection to the expansion connecter labled. 
An expansion connector layout for the 2068 
is included for your reference. 


schematic 


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Adapting The Tl Keyboard To The 2068 oy aichaca aura 


I feel that as 2068 users, we have 
been supported very well, considering our 
fate. But still, I have longed for a pro- 
fessional keyboard...1 decided to adapt 
one myself. I hope these notes will help 
anyone else wanting the same. 

This project is relatively easy, just 
time consuming. For myself, the results 
were well worth the time invested. 

Please note that there is an in- 
creased amount of interference if you are 


using a color television. Whenever a key vy bags ideas on wiring. 


it is similar to when PAUSE is 


is pressed, 
on. This might be compensated by using a 


sheilded cable [13 strands...I don't know 
of any suppliers for this}. I use a green 
sereen monitor, and do net have this in- 
terference problem. 

I purchased the Texas Instrument 3944 
keyboard from: Arnold Company, 214 Hill 


lane, Red Oak, TX 75154 (214) 576-2291 for 
a total of $10.89 C.0.B. It came with two 
reprints of articles on adapting the TI 
keyboard to the T/S 1000, which had some 


Continued Next Pages. 


WIRING THE TI KEYBOARD: 

I cut all traces just where they attach 
each pin. Two color, 24 gauge, stranded wire 
works well and it helps to keep the indi- 
vidual connections in order. A low-wattage 
soldering iron, Radio Shack’s five piece set 
worked weil for the project. Watch for 
solder bridges. Any bare wires should be 


taped to prevent shorts in the matrix. Take 
your time. Follow Fig.i for the wire son- 
nections. 

EXTRA KEYS: 


There are six extra keys on the TI key- 
board, not found on the 2068. I removed five 
of them using de-soldering braid (I used 
less than a foot of braid}. I decided to 
re-arrange the extra keys as a set of CURSOR 
keys. A welcome addition. I ran wire jumpers 
from the {2 keyboard to connect them, 


Note: I left one of the extra keys on. I 
have plans to convert it to a single key 
delete (I haven't dene this yet}. Any sug- 
gestions? 
MAKING THE CONNECTION: 

T used an 18" piece of ribbon cable, 


stripped-down to 13 strands to make the con~ 
nection. Fig.2 shows where the short xibbon 
eable from the 2068 keyboard attaches te the 
2068 PC board. The ribbon cable that has 
been added to the TI, attaches to the other 
end, at the original keyboard connection. It 
is also a good idea tao unplug the short 
ribbon cable from the PC board when tackin 
on the new one. I remaved my 2068 keyboart 
and disassembled it te find the wiring 
matrix (I never re-installed it}. 

Plug the ribbon cable back in and test 
your new keyboard. Any problems? If sa 


power down and check your soldering con- 
nections. 


THE CASE: 
I used a piece of 1/2" plywood (17 1/4" 


x 6"), cut out and routed to fit the TI key- 
beard, The holes for the CURSOR keys were 
drilled. The Cursor keys are held in place 


with a small amount of EPOXY glue. They have 
held up weil. I hot-glued small pieces of 
Plywood to the sides of the plywood top, 
making it a case, I also covered the case 
with contact paper, matching the color of 
the monitor. I built an open ended, open 
bottom cover with cutouts for peripherals, 
that sits on top of the 2068, and my monitor 
on top of that. You can use just about any 
materials to build your case, IT would like 


to suggest that you use what you are famil- 
dar with. The extra length of my Case, is 
because I also added the HI-TEK 16-key-pad. 


The keypad is abso from Arnold Company. 
It is priced at $5.95, It is also just jump- 
ered wired te the TI keyboard. I would also 
like te mention that RMG Enterprises (1419 
1/2 7th St., Oregon City, OR 97045) has re- 
Placement key labels for the 2068. If you 
run inte any problems, drop me a 5.A.S.E at 
P.O. Box 153, Warrenton, OR 97146}. Z'2l try 
to help ali I can, 


Mere On The Oliger Disc Interface 


by Dick Wagner 


My article on the Oliger 2068 Floppy 
Disc Interface in the March/April 86 issue, 
had an error that should be corrected. The 
next to last paragraph incorrectly stated 
the number of K bytes that an Amdek 3° disk 
will store. John Oliger set me straight on 
this. 

The number of bytes the system will 
store per side (single side, double density) 
is 195.5K, As mentioned in ny review, a side 
will store 4 regular files plus 1 special 
file, G. Correctly, a single file is always 
48.5 kbytes, and the special file is about 
1.5 kbytes. This comes about by the manner 
in which the system operates and not by 
limits in the disc system. 

John Gliger also has provided an expla- 
nation of “tracks” as used in a dise aysten. 


which indicates it has 80 tracks, 

John's SAFE system has been 
tensely since the review was written. There 
has been no problems with it other than I 
damaged the special controller IC by zapping 
it with static electricity. There have been 
updates and revisions, and I am ordering 8 


used ex- 


new EPROM that will provide a MOVE, to copy 
a disc from one drive to another, MOVE nm to 
m to copy a file from one disc to another, 


and VERIFY. I have not implemented his 
fantastic SAVE system, but will do so very 
shortly. This will SAVE any program that 


will lead inte the computer! Just a press of 
a switch button. No LOAD command is used, 

My apology to Jehn, and I hope any 
veader turnedoff by my error will re-read my 
report plus others that are being printed. 


A track is a stopping place or the position At least send for John's iiterature and 
cf the head, Thus my Amdek drive is defined quotes. {Write to: The Jehn Oliger Company, 
as a 40 track system {1 dise side}. This is 11601 Whidbey Dr., Cumberland, IN 46229) 
a Little different from my understanding of 
the specifications provided with the drive, 
Reviewed by Dennis Silvestri 

How do you improve 4 great product? and the taliy function. There is even a 

Easy, Make it even better, That is exactly function that allows you to transfer Ex~ 


what Robert Fischer did with Yom Woods's 
ProfFile 2068. It is called “Extensions”. 
Extensions are three separate newsletters in 
which the user types in the improvements to 
Pro/File 2068. My review is a combined list~ 
ing of all three Extension issues. 

A big feature is the use of variables 
using the VAL and CODE function which will 
save approximately 2000 pius bytes. There is 
an improved Save-Verify function, a5 well as 
an improvement on making a back-up master. 
You can save everything as well as the MC, 
se you do not need a separate Master Tape to 
ioad in first, or you can save the Basic 
with data just as it is done on the original 
Pro/File 2068, or you can save just the date 
itself. There is also a more compact display 
and edit menu, allowing more commands te be 
seen at one time on one screen. 

There is a cursor wrap feature which I 
found extremely convenient. There are im- 
provements to the Machine Code sort routine 


23 


tentions improvements to any existing Pro/ 
File data you may have. Extensions alse has 
@ routine to make it Spectrum and Microdrive 


compatible. There are more improvements that 
i have not listed, In order to get the full 
benefits of Extensions you should have all 


three issues. 

Keep in mind that you do need Pro/File 
2066, and the machine code sort routine frou 
Tom Woods Breakthrough Newsletter before in~ 
puting the Extensions/improvements. Each 
issue of Extensions is $6.00 each and can be 
ordered from Robert C. Fischer, 221 Scoggins 
St., Summerville, GA 30747, There is also a 
version of all three Extension issues on 
tape, which can be merged with Fro/Pile 
2068. It is called Pro/File Plus Three, and 
it costs $18.00. 

With all the improvements offered by 
Extensions, you will stiil have all the ca- 
pacity of the original Pre/File 2068 for 
your files, 


Address Book 


Reviewed by Duncan Teague 


Why should you buy a dedicated 
address, and telephone number file 


when there are several general purpose pro- 
grams available to accomplish the same task? 


name, 
manager 


Does it have any special features that make 
it worthy of your ten bucks? Read on and 
find out the answers to these and other 


burning questions. 

“Address Book" has been developed by 
Mark Fendrick. Mr. Fendrick is a columnist 
for at least publications, including ZX Com- 
puting and The Computer Shopper. 

The above fact does not give him in- 
stant credibility as a software developer. 
It does, however, offer a rare chance at an 
objective look at a program written by an 
individual who regularly writes eritical 
ceviews of others' software creations. 


1'11 quote a comment from Fendrick's 
review of two programs in the January issue 


of The Computer Shopper. 

m neither of these two 
extraordinary in and of itself." 

What's ironic about this comment is 
that one of the programs Fendrick is evalu- 
ating is a mailing list/address book program 
that offers more features than his own. 

Address Book first announces that you 
have the opportunity to load the machine 
code portion of your Aerco interface driver. 
If you don't have an Aerco Interface, then 
you may still use the T/S 2040 printer. 1 


programs is 


do, I did, and it works. I did have to make 
some modifications to adapt the printer 
codes to my Prowriter. 

Data is entered into 6 fieids: 1. Nane, 


2. Address, 3. City and State, 4. Zip Code, 
5. Area Code, and 6. Telephone Number. 
Sorting may be done by name, by zip, or 
by area code. My only criticism is that 
“name” should have been split into two 
fields, a first name field and a last name 
field. As the program 1s written, data must 
be entered as "last name, first name" for an 
alphabetical listing to be useful. 


The record and file handling chores are 


handled with ease, A record can be deleted 
or edited. When editing, a press of the 
ENTER key skips a field in which no change 


1s to be made. The file can be searched to 
find a specific record. The search word does 
not have to be an exact match. The search 
routine finds the first record that starts 
with the characters entered. 


30 


>» Ine. 
Avenue 
11424 


Either a screen listing or a hard copy 
printout of the file is available. These two 
options can be started at the beginning or 
at any point in the middle of the file. The 
hard copy can easily be formatted for the 
printing of mailing lables. Telephone num- 
bers can be printed or omitted as desired. 
The number of line feeds required between 
forms is also specified with this option. 


whe program continuously reports how 
many recerds may still be added to the file. 
The screen information, however, doesn't 
agree with the documentation. While this is 
@ minor flaw, there are some more serious, 
but correctable, programming flaws. 
The FOR...NEXT loop in which the number 
of line feeds between forms is specified is 


programmed incorrectly. One more line feed 
than the user specifies is sent to the 
printer. One printer code in the program 


actually calis for a form feed from my Pro- 
writer, instead of a line feed. Another 
problem, a little harder to trace, is in the 
screen listing of the file. 

After entering several records, if you 
request a screen listing of the file, the 


program returns to the menu. This is an 
ever-present annoyance caused by an ON 


statement that sends the program back to the 
menu whenever any error situation is 
countered. The error in this routine is an 
undefined variable. The variable 2$ is 
fined in the hard copy routine but not in 
the screen listing routine. Adding the line: 
2014 LET ZS = ES 

fixes the problem. 

The folks at Zebra Systems, Inc., 
are distributing this program for Mark 
drick, have left themselves (and us) a 
safety valve whereby the program may be 
stopped (for tracing program errors, no 
doubt}. At the main menu, typing "1" causes 
the string input prompt to be displayed in 
the editing area. Typing "zebra" at this in- 
put prompt executes an ON ERR RESET command 
and then STOPs the program. Neat, huh? 

Unfortunately, that is the cleverest 
part of this progrm. A general database will 
accomplish the same tasks, with greater 
speed, and with more flexibility. Don't 
waste your time with single purpose programs 
unless they offer some extraordinary fea- 
tures, 


who 
Fen- 


Address Book does not. 


T/S SHOPPING MART 


please mention that you saw the ad in TIME DESIGNS! 


When requesting catalogs, information, and making purchases, 


Yes! We Have the 


QL MOUSE! 


The QL now has its own Mouse. The Mouse plus 
its special interface is available now and offers the 
best GEM-like system currently available for the 
QL. The package comes with E.A.S.E., a totally 
new user concept for the QL. E.A.S.E supports a 
desktop environment similar to GEM and inciudes 
pulldown menus, icons, scrollable windows, a cal- 
culator, and a game. E.A.S.E. gives easy access to 
all QDOS system functions. Also supplied is GIGA 
BASIC, an extension of SuperBASIC with over 70 
additional commands, a full-screen editor, sprites, 
and mouse control commands. Write or call for 
prices and catalog. 


English Micro Connection 
15 Kilburn Court — Newport, RI 02840 
401/849-3805 


Great New 
GRAPHICS 
DESIGN 
Program 
For The 2068 


PIXEL SKETCH AND GRAPHICS EDITOR 2068 version 2.0 is 
an updated version of the original PS/GE 2068, with the same 
powerful graphic editor capabilities: Window COPY, ERASE, 
ROTATE, ZOOM, WIDE, MIRROR-IMAGE, PAINT, SHADE, 
INVERT, and DIGITIZE in the Standard and Extended Color 
video modes. Merge parts of two screens into one screen. Full use 
of 2068 attributes. Also uses the hi-res (64 col.) video for draw and 
print, NEW FUNCTIONS include: a CONNECT function to con- 
nect designated points. New TEXT mode includes for print fonts 
(standard, bold, moder, or italics), or load your own fonts. 
PLOT function is 2 to 3 times faster! PIXEL SKETCH AND 
GRAPHICS EDITOR 2068 version 2.0 is casy to use, menu 
driven, Joystick controlled, and comes with 20 page manual. Built 
in print driver for TASMAN CPI, but compatible with most full 
size printers and interfaces (documentation shows how to imple- 
ment your own print codes). PS/GE 2068 accesses special func- 
tons on Star and Epson type printers. Get your copy of the new 
PIXEL SKETCH AND GRAPHICS EDITOR 2068 version 2.0 
today! ONLY $19.95 ppd. (owners of original PS/GE can send 
original tape as proof of purchase, and pay only $10.95 for new 
version 2.0) PS/GE is available from: 


S D Lemke 
/ | Lemke Software Development 
2144 White Oak 
Witchita, KS 67207 
‘Send legal SASE for free catalog 
of top quality programs for 2068 


PRICE 
BREAKTHROUGH! 


Thanks toa MAJOR cost reduction, we can now offer the 
Rotronics WAFADRIVE (Less Rainbow Interface) for 
ONLY $99.95! The WAFADRIVE offerse TWO 128K 
high speed drives operating at almost 2K per 
second @ An RS232 (serial) and a Centronics (parallel) 
port that allow WAFADRIVE to run almost any full size 
printer @ Extended Basic operating system@A blank 
wafer@and the Spectral Writer word processor 
program. 

The WAFADRIVE is a Spectrum compatible device, and 
when used with the Rainbow Plus interface, your Timex 
2068 will run thousands of Spectrum programs. 


The Rainbow Plus Spectrum interface is both a 
‘spectrum emulator AND a spectrum hardware adaptor 
all in one compact case. For only $49.95 we will even 
throw in free Spectrum software to get you started! 


TO ORDER: DAMCO ENTERPRISES 
Send Check, Money Order 67 Bradley Ct. 
VISA or MASTERCARD to: Fall River, MA 02720 


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Ed 38 YOUR 21RR8K GIG OUT & BATES GeT? 
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Indiana residents plecse include 5% fer soles tox. 


More Gi. and 2068 programs available later. 


bh REE 
CONTROLLER BOARD FOR TS 2068 
SPECTRUM EPALLA TOR COPPA TIBLE 


- High spead : loads 32k bytes in 7.5 seconds 

~ commants ars: LOAD SAVE DIRECTORY DELETE 
FORMAT COPY MOVE and BADBLGCKS 

~ Uses IBN PC competible 5 1/4 * double sided 
disk drives (SHUGART SASS or compatible) 

~ Disk capactty : 160 k bytes 


- Bas js on § Denk switched 2K egrom 

- Galy | USR call is required 

- Assembled and tested ail cables end connectors 
supplied 

> Stagie drive varsion ts available now but a second 
Grive can de sesily added (this mod will be available 
before FEB 86) 

~ 60 day monay back guarantee 

> Meds in CANADA , many already in use 

Price: 


$95.00(US) + $6.00 shipping 
From :LARKEN ELECTRONICS 


RR#2 NAVAN ONTARIO 
CANADA K4B-1H9 


_C. W. Associates 


419 MN. Johnsen Streat 


Supporting the Sinclair QL 


For informataan and prices: 
Legol-size SAse 


ec 
Coll (419) 634-4874 (6:00pm - 8:00pm) 


Mind your own 


business... 
on a Sinclair OL! 


Announcing INTEGRATED ACCOUNTS, ths first 
serious business accounting package for the Sin- 
clair QL. Designed for the small business person 
uniamiliar with computers but wanting or nseding 
to computerizs his bookkeeping and accounting 
functione, this package poesssses many of the 
functions and capabilities of software normally 
found on much larger computer systems. Sales, 
Purcheses, and Nominal Ledgers right through to 
Profit and Logs and Balance Sheets. Power and 
ease of use have been combined to provide a truly 
superior accounting package for your QL. 


Cher serious business software also available 


LARIER 
DISK ORIVE prog g 
mimntucnurn POGE 


~ UGS on Eprom supports Sesic Programe, Code blocks and Arrays 
~ Coramancds are-DIRECTORY LOAD,SAVE FORMAT, DELETE end EXIT 
- The Directory ts maintained by the DUS, ine need for mamal 
airectory enirys as with some other disk crives) 
| - Up to 52 files per disk - Eficient ue of diak space (ne “pages") 
~ Uses Shugert 455 er compatible S25" double sided drives 
= 2X-81 version canbe eoiversed to 2066 versien and 
vies versa (cable end Eprom required) Dats igeven competibie 
= Seer lean per dak’ Loose tie byeee nts one 
~ Aseembied end tested 60 day money beck guarentee 
BeSi TSI000 festures: 
~ The most Powerful DOS for the Zk-S1 : Very User Friendly 
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~ Uses ao ZX-61 RAM - No more ram pack wobble [ribben cable} 


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Planner, and Mailing LUst, Call or write for prices 


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401/849-3805 


CAMADA K4B-1HO 


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Rk. 10 Bax 459 

Mechanicsville, Va. Z23iii 

(804) 746-1664 or 730-9497 


EFFECTIVE HAY 1,1986 


QL Coaputer with WAR IN THE EAST $289.00 
GL RGB Menitar $289.06 


Gh Printer $289.00 
256K Rem S179.00 
Micradrives 7.95 


War im the East $29.93 (with scenario 1 only? 
@rite or call for our catalag. 


TS 2068 or SPECTRUM 48K 


War in the East $19.95 each 
Fall ef the Third Reich 834.95 any 2 programs 
ar dennes $49.90 any 3 programs 


Britain Invaded! 


Visa & Master Card accepted. 3% surcharge for charge card orders. 
Free shipping by UPS or ist Class. Nast orders shipped in 2 to 7 days. 


DIAMOND MIKE II 


NEW MACHINE CODE 
ARCADE HIT! 


| The Sinclair/Timex 
i User's Magazine 


JRC SOFTWARE proudly ennounces a breakthrough in 
2088/Spectrum compatible games called DIAMOND MIKE 
(L. It 8 @ us arcade quality game with brilliant graphics, 
coler and sound. The abject is te collect enough diamonds 
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screens and 6 levels! DIAMOND MIKE II Is gale priced at 
$17.25! Ten day money-back guaranties! Just $2.00 extra 
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IRE SOFTWARE 
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Phone (812) 752-5108 or 752-8071 
Dlarnond Mike Il is 100% 18K Machine Cede. 
Free "Electroaic Catalog” with your order? 


Ratranics Wetadsive 
Graphics for TS-1000; Bulld Your Own 
Beginner's Programming. 


Quarters 


A quarterly publication for the 
Tiwex/Sinclair computer user. 


“..Bvery isgue hes been full of helpful 
articles, great software reviews and new 
product intorwetion. Thanke for publishing 
aeeded asgazine for TS computer cumers 
and for keeping it easy to read and 
wnderatand. I have read other TS computer 
wagazines, but none have been as helpful to 
we as QuarTerS...I'm really glad I 
subscribed to QuarTerS..."-C. Bower 


One year subs. only $8.00. Overseas 
only $11.00(US$). Check or MO to: 
BMJ DATA SYSTEMS, 4& Butterfly Dr, 
Hauppauge, NY 11788. 


ROOTS SOE ETEE DEEDES EH EEO HHS EO EEDODFE0 


om, * FREE FIRST ISSUE SUM . 


* Sed this cago to bMJ Data Syetews, 4 Buttertly ° 
* Drie, Heppage, MW 11788. You will receive one ° 
S free isse of GS od ve will GALL you for a oe 


ORDER OUR CATALOG! 
and gst this 

FREE Software 
on cagsetis... 


POR THE TS2068 


1. 8D Moving Display 
2. 3D Pyramid 

3. DIAMOND MIKE game derno 

4, 3D Tic-Tac-Tos demo 

5. Plus commentary by programmer 
John Coffey on 32-bit computers. 


Our unique product catalog and free 
software all on a quality tape only... 


Order Yours Today! 


JRC Software 
P.O. Box 448 
Scottsburg, IN 47170 


gubacription. If you do not want to aubecribe 
write cancel on Ge WIL ani keep your free iss. 


tHe SPRUCE UP YOUR COMPUTER DEN «xs xxsxxxxx 


ste MIGNDEL BROT SET PRINTS +xxsexsxxsecencxens 


This collection of EIGHT “Mandelbrot art" prints was produced entirely on a TS 
computer. These lovely 1@"x12* monochrome posters are “suitable for framing,” 
but will enhance your computer space even if you simply tack them to the wall. 


SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER: 


Get EIGHT PRINTS for only US$ 18.68 (Cdn 12.58) postpaid anywhere in North 
America. Send check or money order to: 


Fred Nachbaur 
C-12, Mtn. Stn. Group Box 
Nelson, BC VIL 5P1 
Canada 


Advanced Video Modes 

It’s here at last, software that supports all the advanced display 
modes of the T/S 2068! By sacrificing just 1K of memory look 
what you get: 

«normal, dual, extended colour, and 64 column modes 

+*compatiblity with most printers including T/S 2040 

*a UDG replacement that’s like sprites 

«a full sized 12 page instruction manual 

«new features can easily be added because the code is in RAM 

+ programs LISTable in any mode 

+ loads in only 15 seconds 
All this for the low, low price of $20.00 Can/$15.00 US! 


Send cheque or money order for $1.50 for our complete catalogue with Demonstration 
Tape plus bonus programs. We pay the postage & handling costs on all orders! 


BEWER COMPUTER PRODUCTS 


§$99 MUNROE AVENUE, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, R2K 1J4 


(The best DAM software around) 


the Classifieds! 


TIME DESIGNS MAGAZINE, 


PAST, EASY TO USE, MC routine to 
allow BASIC PRINTing on lower 2 
lines. ASCII & UDG. Printout-$2; 
On your tape or wafer-$3; on my 
tape-$5. Send MO to: J K Paulsen 
250 Mason Ct. Sycamore; IL 60173 
For 2068. State 32 or 0564 use. 


T/S 1000's...$10.00 ea. 
These have been tested and work. 
No manuals or power supplies. 
Dean Miller, 29324 Park St. 
Wickliffe, OH 44092 Tel. (216) 
944-8630 
MONEY MACHINE. Exciting new word 
game for the T/S 2068. May be 
habit forming. From ABBA Soft. 

Tape $10: Llist $3, ppd. Rerb 

Bowers, 2588 Woodshire Circle, 
Chesapeake, VA 23323 

SOFTWARE for the Timex 2068. 

Send a S.A.5.8. for a free 

catalog to: TIMEWARE, 1907 1/2 

West Genesee St., Syracuse, N¥ 

413204 

DERBY DAY-2068. The nenpariel 

racing game. Unparalleled fun & 
excitement for ages 4 to won't 

tell. Prints tickets on TS-2040 

& can be used as a fund raiser. 

$10. Ron Ruegg, 37529 Perkins 

Road, Prairieville, LA 70769. 

WANTE! T/S 1000, 2X81, 64K memory, 
also info about programs: "Z2XAD" 
{assembler-debugger). or "MCODER". 
Will trade software. Send list and 
SASE. Write: R. Beier, 1 Darwin 
Drive, N. Merrick, NY 11566 

IBM GRAPHICS PRINTER for sale. 
Same as Epson MX80. Like new, 
used for 6 months. Dot matrix, 
80 CPS, all Epson functions 
except Italics. $200 or best. 
offer. (503) 760-7786 or (503) 
643-8444, ask for Syd. 


Do you have some equipment or a program that you would like to sell? Looking for something hard to find? Place an 
ad in TIRE CLASSIFIEDS! Subscribers can place one free personal ad in each issue. Ad size is 32 Col. wide {like 2040 
paper) and maximum of six lines. Fer additional lines - $3 each. NON-SUBSCRIBERS and DEALERS: $4 a line. 
DEADLINE FOR ALL CLASSIFIED ADS: Two weeks before publication date. Mail your ad to: 

The Clagitieds Depi., 29722 Hult Rd., Colton, Gregon $7017. 


FREE ADS FOR SUBSCRIBERS 


FOR SALE: Timex boxed 2068 Soft—- 
ware. 6 titles. Quadra—<Chart, 
VU-3B; Gragmaster, Crossfire, 
Fun Golf and Blind Alley. $130 
retail, new, ALL 6 FOR $25 te 
first caller at (218) 346-2129. 
p.m. only. 

DISK FILE MANA: for ABRCO 

FD-68. Detailed directory and 

tracks. Checks and copies files. 

$16 ppd. on 5.25" disk or tape. 

Chia-Chi Chao, 73 Sullivan Dr.; 

Moraga, CA 94556, SASE for into. 


AERCO FD-68 $150; AERCO ¢/P $50; 
Timex 2068 $50; WS 2050 $50; 
1/S L000 $10, D. Gustafson, P.O. 


Bex 3700, Bensacola, FL 32516 
T/S 2068 UTILITIES: Auto-line 
Number, Renumber (GOTOs, GOSUBs, 
ect.}, Read Tape Header, Display 
Vars., Find String in Prog. $10. 
Michael Cover, 1405 Chevington 
Cir., Zanesville, OH 43701 


FOR SALE: 2068 Computer with two 

tapes, Spectrum Emulator, and 

Timex Printer. Best offer. John 

Coffey, FO Box 448, Scottsburg, 

IN 47170, (812) 752-6071. Tech 

Manual available, 

WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT MIDI I/F 

OWNERS who use 2068 or Spectrum 

and any keyboard. Professional 

musicians or amateur hobbyists. 

May start Sinclair MIDI users 

group/newsletter. Write to: Tim 

Woods c/o TIME DESIGNS, 29722 

Bult Rd.; Colten, OR 97017 
COLLECTOR'S SPECIAL- Commodore 
vic20 computer, 16K RAM, manuals, 
power supply, two games. Also 
includes adaptor to allow use of 
any cassette recorder. $50 takes 
it. Call Gary Walker, (604) 354- 
3858. 


WEYMIL CORPORATION 


makes a serious commitment to the Timex user in the development of high-quality, in- 
novative, and user-friendly software, complete with layman-oriented documentation, and ali 
at affordable prices. We are proud to offer you: 


* THRUST* 


Finally, real graphics power for your TS 

1000! FARUST, the last word in cursor- 
controled hi-res graphics for screen or 

printer output, is a software package 
composed of SincArtist HR and SincAr- 
fist 2.3. Examine this sample for an idea ---—— 
of the powerful versitility of TFARLUST. 


SINCARTIST 1.3 - The original! Fan- 

tastic hi-res graphics delivered io the 2040 

printer. SincAriise §.3 boasts excellent se 
user-group reviews and is simply the best 

non-hardware system available, Note ag i 
these features: 


— 192 x 256 high-resolution file displayed in a 48 x 64 screen window 
— Circies, iriangles, rectangles, quadrilaterals, rays, inversing, and more 
— 40 redifinable patterns and a variety of draw and fill modes 

— Cursor or joystick control 

— No system modifications required 


SINCARTIST HR - The last word in cursor-controlled high-resolution screen graphics, Copy 
artwork to the 2040 prinier and save to tape. SincArtise HR requires a TS 1000 with a 
socketed 2K RAM, less than $10.00 in parts, and a few minutes with a soldering iron. Super 
user-friendly documentation and instructions included. All modifications are fully 
transparent to other peripherals. WUNTER BOARD OWENRS: All you need ig the FREE 
hardware upgrade that we providel!!t! 


THRUST includes SincArtise HR and Sinc-Artis! i,3 (these programs are not sold 
separately). The Ultimate Hi-Res Tape is available exclusively from Weymil Corporation for 
only $20. 


* MINI XMOD * 


MINI XMOD - Allows your Westridge or Ryfe-Back modem to up and download Timex pro- 
grams to any XModem protocol BBS. 


— Fully documented with easy-to-follow instructions for ihe layman 

— 16K and 64K versions included 

— Ideal for storage in Hunter Board 

— Produced on high-quality casette for the ZX 81, TS 1000, and TS [500 


MINI XMOD is available from Weymil Corporation for only $20. Please specify Westridge 
or Byte-Back version, 


WEYMIL CORPORATION 
BOX 5904 
BELLINGHAM, WA 98227-5904 


(Write for a free catalogue of other TS 2068 and TS 1000 products) 


a 


Now, you can build 
a QL system with 


Sinclair peripherals 
from Knighted Computers 


‘The optimum partner for business: 49 

personal use. 100 cps (dratt)/20 cps (NLQ). 

New technology Letter Quality, QL matching 
+ with RS232 intertace & cable. 


with FREE ICE! 


The Sinclair Vision QL. 
Designed to perform. 


KF; or sheer good looks, superb design and 


OR =- 1 YOU OON''T WANT 'ICK’ - TAKK YOUR PICK OF ANY ONE OF THE 19 TITLES 
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QL CHESS SPACE PARANOIDS QSPELL Rezearch, ths beauhully comp unis wih us 
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PACKAGE DEAL= QL COMPUTER & ABOVE MONITOR & PRINTER w/cables $799.00 
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TO SAVE YOU EVEN MORE $$$$ - WE OFFER YOU AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF ON SOFTWARE 
WHEN YOU ORDER TWO OR MORE TITLES - - - WRITE FOR OUR FREE CATALOG 


HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE NEW TITLES WE'RE OFFERING : 


QL FLIGHT SIMULATOR $ 29.95 QL HYPERDRIVE $ 19.95 

CITADELL § 19.95 SPOOK $ 19.95 BJ IN 3D LAND § 19.95 

QL HOME FINANCE § 24.95 QL GARDENER $24.95 PROJECT PLANNER §$ 40.95 
SUPERCHARGE BASIC COMPILER $ 79.95 TOOLKIT II $ 54.95 COSMOS $ 24.95 
VISA/MASTERCARD ACCEPTED SHIPPING & HANDLING CONT. USA $3.00 (TOTAL ORDER) 


SPECIAL - S&H FOR MONITORS & PRINTERS $7.50 (TOTAL ORDER) CONT. USA 


KNIGHTED COMPUTERS 


707 Highland St 
Fulton. NY } 


(315) 59